Welcome to The Subtle Shift, a weekly newsletter where I share small but powerful ideas to help you lead with clarity, inspire change, and create a lasting impact. This week’s issue is about something we’re all experiencing in one form or another: uncertainty. If you’re feeling unsettled, anxious, or unsure about what’s coming next—you’re not alone. And this might be just the moment to look at how subtle shifts can help us navigate it.
When the World Feels Unstable
We’re living in tumultuous times.
The political climate feels unhinged. The stock market took a significant tumble last week. And everywhere you look, people are worried—about the future of the country, the economy, and even their day-to-day stability.
But have you ever stopped to consider that dramatic moments come from subtle shifts that have been building over time?
Our current economy, for example, reflects years of slow, steady changes in global trade, labor dynamics, immigration patterns, and technological disruption—trends that have reshaped our world gradually, not overnight.
And our political climate? It’s been shaped by where people have chosen to place their attention, which narratives they’ve embraced, and the assumptions they’ve adopted over time—on both sides of the aisle.
Big moments are built on subtle shifts. And that same idea can help us find our footing when things feel uncertain.
Shift Your Attention, Change Your Culture
Why do so many leaders over-index on the negative? Why do they fixate on what’s broken, amplify worst-case scenarios, and dwell on what’s missing instead of what’s possible?
I’m sure there are many reasons, but we must recognize that this approach is contagious.
When leaders constantly point out what’s wrong, it changes the culture—whether in a country, a company, a community, or a home. Negativity narrows people’s thinking and creates fear, frustration, and finger-pointing.
But if you shift your attention slightly, you can change the emotional tone.
Make this shift simply by asking:
- What’s working?
- Where’s the progress others aren’t seeing?
- What possibilities exist that haven’t been named yet?
Three simple questions can lead to subtle shifts in our attention that seem insignificant, but they change everything.
Who’s Shaping Your Perspective?
Our attention becomes even more valuable and vulnerable to manipulations in uncertain times.
Our politicians manipulate us.
The media manipulates us.
Even our friends and family manipulate us unintentionally.
We’re influenced constantly by what others choose to emphasize, how they frame events, and what they believe to be true.
This behavior isn’t always malicious, but small cues shape our worldview over time. These subtle shifts in the wrong direction keep us from paying attention to what matters most.
So ask yourself:
- Who’s influencing how I see the world?
- Are they helping me feel grounded and clear—or anxious and reactive?
- Where might I need to reclaim my perspective?
Mindful leaders don’t tune out the world. But they pay attention to who and what shapes their perception of it.
The Significant Shift: From Reactive to Creative
When uncertainty is high, it’s easy to react and tempting to retreat.
So we get lost in social media, vent about all that is going wrong, spiral into analysis paralysis, or hide out in our caves.
But reacting doesn’t move us forward. It just deepens the chaos.
What we need in these moments is a more intentional response.
We need to elevate our consciousness and be the change we want to see in the world.
Whenever you feel reactive, look closely at your attention, assumptions, and actions. Ask yourself:
- What am I paying attention to?
- What assumptions am I operating under?
- What action am I choosing to take?
By asking these simple questions, we can engineer subtle shifts that move us in a more positive direction.
We can move from a reactive orientation to a creative one and be a more conscious leader who creates rather than waits for clarity.
What Do You Think?
The last two decades brought constant change—technological advances, shifting workplace dynamics, a global pandemic, and economic highs and lows. But lately, it feels different. The pace is faster. The stakes feel higher. The uncertainty is hitting closer to home. Do you feel it too?
What’s one thing you’re doing right now to stay steady in the midst of all this uncertainty? A routine, a practice, a mindset—anything that’s helping you lead yourself (and others) with a little more clarity.
I’d love to hear what’s working for you. Just hit reply and share one simple thing that’s helping you stay grounded.
