In my board meetings at The Alternative Board, we usually focus on the “how” of business. We talk about scaling, cash flow, and operational hurdles. My members come from every political background but they all share one thing: they care deeply about their companies and the people who keep them running.
Usually, our work stays focused inside the four walls of the office. But lately, the world outside is intruding in a way that’s hard to ignore.
Regardless of where you stand on the “how” of national policy or the actions of I.C.E., there is a human reality we have to face as leaders. Our employees, our neighbors, and our communities are carrying a weight right now that doesn’t show up on a spreadsheet.
The Weight of Anxiety
We are seeing a ripple effect of genuine fear and anxiety. For some of your team members, this is personal—they are worried about their own well-being or the safety of their friends and families. For others, they may not be personally threatened, but they are concerned by the images and events unfolding in neighborhoods in NJ and all over the U.S.
As a leader, you might be seeing the symptoms before you realize the cause. It shows up as a loss of focus, a drop in productivity, or a “heaviness” in the breakroom. That stress doesn’t stay in the parking lot; it sits at the desk and follows people into meetings. When a community is fractured or afraid, even the best-run business feels the tremor.
Reframing the “Bottom Line”
My role is to help business owners build a healthy business. But a business can only be as healthy as the ecosystem it lives in. Right now, that ecosystem is under pressure.
“Not looking away” doesn’t mean you need to get political or take a public stance on every headline. In fact, for most owners, it means the exact opposite: it means doubling down on being the steady hand for your people. Someone they can turn to. It means acknowledging that while we can fiercely debate policy, we can still share a fundamental commitment to the well-being of the people on our team.
How Leaders Show Up
When the world feels like it’s in a tailspin, your team looks to you to see how to react. Here is what leading with empathy looks like in practice:
- Acknowledge the Noise: You don’t need to have all the answers, but you can acknowledge that the current environment is stressful. Simply saying, “I know there’s a lot going on in the world right now, and I want you to know we’re here for you,” can be a massive relief for an anxious employee.
- Listen More, Debate Less: Create a space where employees feel they can speak up if they are struggling. You aren’t there to facilitate a political debate; you’re there to support a human being who might be hurting.
- Protect the Culture: When tensions are high outside, keep your internal culture a “safe harbor” of respect and fairness.
- Lead with Empathy: Remember that the “distracted” employee might actually be a “terrified” neighbor. Giving people the grace to process these events is a leadership strategy that builds long-term loyalty.
The Integrity of Leadership
I’m writing this because I believe leadership extends beyond the office walls. My job is to help business owners navigate the challenges of running a business, and that includes the difficult moments when the outside world weighs heavy on you and your team. It isn’t about choosing a political side; it’s about choosing to be the steady hand that acknowledges the human element of our work.
We can argue all day about how to run a country, but as leaders, we can surely agree on the importance of protecting the people we serve. The future of our communities, and the resilience of our businesses, depends on us seeing the person behind the professional. Let’s lead with empathy first. Let’s not look away from the challenges our people are facing.
If you’re finding it difficult to balance the noise of the news cycle with the demands of your business, you don’t have to carry that weight alone. This is exactly what we lean into during our board meetings—finding the clarity and support to lead with confidence. Let’s connect if you’d like to explore how a community of peers can help you navigate the road ahead.