When the Storm Breaks
Today, an impressive thunderstorm rolled through London. The air had been heavy – hot, humid, oppressive. We knew a storm was coming, but we didn’t know when. And then, suddenly, it broke. Loud, dramatic, and unavoidable. But once it passed? The air felt clearer. Lighter. Easier to breathe.
There’s a leadership lesson in this.
We can’t control the weather, but we can influence the climate in our teams. And sometimes, we sense that something’s off – tension in the room, silence that speaks volumes, short answers, overreactions, withdrawal. We know a storm is brewing. We just don’t know when it’ll break.
So what do we do?
We don’t wait for lightning to strike. We lean in.
- We stay present.
- We notice tone, body language, and what isn’t being said.
- We ask questions that invite honesty, not just agreement.
- And most importantly, when people give us feedback, we do something with it – even if that’s simply acknowledging it and explaining a decision, rather than brushing it aside.
Clear air doesn’t come from pretending everything’s fine. It comes from surfacing what’s hard, listening fully, and navigating the storm before it catches us by surprise.
What are you noticing in your team right now? Are there signs a storm is brewing?
If you’re sensing tension, uncertainty, or just that something isn’t quite right – don’t wait for the storm to break. I work with leaders and teams to create space for honest conversations, clear the air, and move forward with purpose.
Get in touch if you’d like to chat – no pressure, just a conversation.