Staying Grounded: Leading with Stability in Unstable Times
When Chaos Hits, Stay Anchored
In the midst of a storm, your team doesn’t just need a task list—they need a leader they can look to. Someone who isn’t rattled when the winds pick up or the pressure builds. Staying grounded as a leader isn’t passive. It’s powerful. And it might be the very thing that determines whether your team holds together or falls apart.
The Storm and the Calm
There’s a powerful moment in the Gospels where Jesus is asleep on a boat during a violent storm (Mark 4:35–41). His disciples, panicked and terrified, wake Him up shouting, “Don’t you care that we’re going to drown?” Jesus calmly wakes, speaks peace over the waves, and turns to them asking, “Why are you afraid? Do you still have no faith?”
Jesus wasn’t unaware of the storm. He was just anchored deeper than the wind and waves.
That’s the image of leadership the world needs—especially in moments of crisis.
My Story: Staying Grounded in Crisis
When I served as CTO, my company experienced a serious data breach. Vulnerabilities were exposed, timelines were tight, and expectations were high. Every meeting felt urgent. The pressure was relentless. And I knew—if I let my anxiety show, it would multiply in every room I entered.
Each morning before walking into the building, I would pray. I didn’t pray for quick fixes—I prayed for calm. I asked God to help me lead with peace, even when nothing around me felt peaceful.
Around that time, I read Aspired by Kevin Hall. He defines a leader as a “pathfinder.” A leader may not have all the answers, but they help others find the way forward. That was my role—I wasn’t the hero with every solution, but I had to set the direction, cast the vision, and steady the ship.
We found the answers together. We made the changes. And we recovered faster than anyone expected.
But it started with being grounded.
A Compliment I’ll Never Forget
Years before that crisis, I was ordained as a deacon. During the ordination service, my Pastor, Charles Diffee, spoke about each of the three men being ordained. When it was my turn, he looked out at the congregation and said something I’ve never forgotten:
“If I were in a crowded movie theater and it caught fire, I would watch to see what Raymond would do.”
He went on to say that he had never seen me panic, and he believed God had gifted me with leadership.
To this day, it remains one of the greatest compliments I’ve ever received.
It’s also a reminder: People watch how we respond when pressure hits. They take their cues from us. And our calm can become their compass.
Why Grounded Leaders Make the Difference
When leaders are grounded:
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Teams feel safe.
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Uncertainty becomes manageable.
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Communication is clearer.
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Morale stabilizes.
On the flip side, when a leader spins out, people stop looking for solutions and start looking for exits.
What It Means to Stay Grounded
Being grounded isn’t about being stoic or emotionless. It means you’re:
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Centered in your purpose.
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Calm under pressure.
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Aware of your emotions, but not ruled by them.
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Open to collaboration instead of control.
It’s not about having all the answers. It’s about having a rooted perspective.
4 Practical Ways to Stay Grounded
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Start Your Day with Stillness
Whether it’s prayer, meditation, or silent reflection—quiet yourself before the world gets loud.
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Define Your “Why”
Grounding comes from mission. When you know your purpose, the storms don’t move you as easily.
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Listen Before You React
Emotional regulation comes from understanding the full picture, not just the surface noise.
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Speak Calmly. Lead Clearly.
People mirror your tone. If you lead with composure, your team will follow suit.
Final Thought: Are You the Calm in the Storm?
Being grounded doesn’t mean pretending everything is fine. It means being rooted in something deeper than the chaos. When you lead with stability, your team finds theirs. Just like Jesus calmed the storm, your presence can speak peace into your workplace.
Read More in Our Leadership Series
Explore other powerful posts in the series to build resilience, vision, and integrity in your leadership:
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