The Leadership of Grace: Navigating Productivity in Heavy Times
There is a specific kind of "divided brain" that occurs when we walk into the office, or open our laptops at home, while the world is in turmoil.
On one half of the screen, we see global headlines that feel historic and heavy. On the other half, we have a spreadsheet, a project deadline, or a team meeting. The gap between those two worlds can feel massive, and trying to bridge it often leads to a feeling of “emotional whiplash.”
During these times, the most effective leaders aren't the ones who ignore all the noise and demand "business as usual." The best leaders are those who recognize that their team is made of humans that are experiencing real emotions. Perhaps they are personally impacted by events that are out of their control. Even if they are not directly involved, they may have loved ones that are constantly on their mind.
wHEN THE mAP dISAPPEARS
I remember exactly where I was when my world went sideways.
I was in the doctor’s office with my mom when he came in to tell her “you have stage 4 pancreatic cancer.” In an instant, every plan I had for the month, every goal I was tracking, and every "important" meeting on my calendar just…evaporated.
For the next few weeks, I walked around in a complete haze. I tried my best to stay focused and be present for friends, family, and coworkers, but I can assure you, I was definitely not. If you’ve ever been there, you know the feeling. It’s a specific kind of mental fog where you’re physically present, but your mind is miles away, trying to wrap itself around a reality you weren't prepared for.
I couldn't focus. I couldn't "hustle." I couldn't even tell you what day of the week it was half the time. My instinct, was to solve it. I wanted a project plan. I wanted a timeline. I wanted to out-plan the uncertainty of a diagnosis. But you can’t out-plan a storm while you’re standing in the middle of it.
That was my first real lesson in Grace in Uncertainty. I had to learn that it was okay to not be "on." It was okay to let the fog sit for a while. I had to stop punishing myself for not having the answers and just learn to breathe. Ironically, we’ve been told for decades to "leave your personal life at the door." But when personal tragedy or global events are unfolding before our eyes, all the corporate goals and career ambitions take a back seat as we focus on a much larger view.
In that moment, progress for me didn't look like a spreadsheet. Progress looked like showing up, being present, and giving myself permission to be human.
What Grace Looks Like in Practice
When we try to force productivity through the lens of distraction, it can actually lead to resentment and burn out. Grace in the workplace doesn’t mean lowering your standards or grinding everything to a halt due to current events. However, it is important to acknowledge the reality of the situation. Here’s what that looks like:
Adjusting Expectations: Recognizing that a project might take an extra hour because focus is fractured.
Checking In First: Starting a meeting by asking "How is everyone doing?" and actually waiting for the answer.
Leading with Vulnerability: Admitting that you, too, are finding it hard to find the right words today.
Moving Forward Together
If you are leading a team this week, or just leading yourself, remember that kindness is what allows us to keep moving when the ground feels unstable. If you’re currently feeling like you’re in a haze, whether it’s in your personal life or your career, take a second to sit with these questions:
Where am I holding myself to an "impossible standard" of knowing right now? Are you mad at yourself for not having a map that hasn't been drawn yet?
What would it look like to give myself just 10% more grace in this specific situation? Maybe it's a shorter to-do list, or maybe it’s just an extra hour of sleep.
If I stopped trying to "solve" the fog, what is it actually trying to tell me? It might be telling you to prioritize what actually matters (family, faith, presence, health) and let the "noise" of your inbox fade away.
Take it one hour at a time. Be patient with the “distracted" versions of yourself and others. We are all navigating this together, and sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is simply offer a little bit of grace.
