95: How to Lead Operations When You Don’t Have All the Answers

Find the full transcript for this episode at yourfuturerealized.com/95.

I’m looking at a little photo of a bluebird on my bulletin board, with a saying that’s stuck with me. It goes, “A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking, because her trust is not in the branch but in her own wings.”

I printed this out years ago during a messy company reorg. Folks kept coming to me, looking for some breathing space, a shoulder, or just a laugh. That bird became a constant reminder: 

No matter what’s going on around you, you’ve got wings. Focus on building those.

In this episode, I’ll talk about what to do when things feel shaky, when your team’s anxious and nobody’s sure what’s next. I’ll share one simple thing you can try to help your team feel a little steadier, even when everything’s up in the air. 

Transcript

I’m looking at a little photo of a bluebird on my bulletin board, with a saying that’s stuck with me. It goes, “A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking, because her trust is not in the branch but in her own wings.”

I printed this out years ago during a messy company reorg. Folks kept coming to me, looking for some breathing space, a shoulder, or just a laugh. That bird became a constant reminder:

No matter what’s going on around you, you’ve got wings. Focus on building those.

In this episode, I’ll talk about what to do when things feel shaky, when your team’s anxious and nobody’s sure what’s next. I’ll share one simple thing you can try to help your team feel a little steadier, even when everything’s up in the air. Find the full transcript at yourfuturerealized.com/95.

Hey Ops Execs, 

Why Teams Get Quiet When Things Get Uncertain

Let’s just say it: this is not an easy time to lead a team.

Maybe it’s new tech, another round of changes, or just that constant “what’s next?” buzz in the background.
 

You’re seeing it: people are quieter, ideas aren’t flowing as much, and there’s tension, like everyone’s waiting for the next shoe to drop. And honestly, you feel it too.

That’s not failure. It’s just human. Even the best teams get quiet when things are shaky. Everyone’s just hanging on, hoping things don’t fall apart. 

One of my seven favorite things about operations executives is how you keep everything moving. You notice problems before they happen and somehow keep everything on track, even when the tracks aren’t built yet!

But sometimes, that knack for holding things together means you feel like you’re supposed to have all the answers even when you’re figuring it out just like everyone else.

The Uncertainty Opener: A Practical Tool for Ops Leaders

So what do you do when trust is wobbly and collaboration stalls out?

Here’s something I like to do: in your next 1:1, try saying, “Is there anything you wish we’d talk about more openly? I’ll share one of mine.” Or just, “Here’s something I’m still figuring out…”

Then ask them: “What are you seeing? Any ideas, or worries?”

And just to be clear, don’t force anyone to share if they’re not ready. Sometimes just knowing the space is there is enough for now. You’re just being honest. Nobody knows everything. And you’re showing it’s okay to speak up. 

You might worry this will make people more nervous. But honestly, people can tell when you’re not being straight. Being real about what’s unclear actually helps everyone relax a bit.

Remember that bird on my bulletin board? She’s not trusting the branch. She’s trusting her wings.

That’s what you’re modeling when you share your own uncertainty. You’re trusting your ability to figure things out as you go, together. And you’re giving them space to do the same.

I’ve seen it time and time again. It’s like opening a window in a stuffy room. Suddenly people start talking. Sometimes, the quietest person shares an idea that changes everything.

Even if you don’t solve everything right away, you go from everyone just holding on to a vibe of “let’s figure this out together.”

Tips for Making Vulnerability Work in Real Life

A couple of quick tips to make this work in real life:

• Thank people right away when they share what’s up with them, even if their idea isn’t fully baked.
• Make this a habit. The more you do it, the easier it gets for everyone.
• If you’re worried you’ll look less confident: People can usually tell anyway. They just want to know it’s okay to be honest.

So, here’s your question for the week: What’s one thing you could be more open about with your team? 

Try it out. You might be surprised by what happens. You don’t have to have it all figured out. Just take that first, slightly wobbly step together. And hey, if you need a reminder, put a little bird photo on your board. It’s helped me.

If you want more on rebuilding trust and team morale after big changes, check out Episode 50, “Empowering Your Ops Team Post-Reorganization.” You’ll get real stories, practical tips, and a few things you might not expect. Find it at yourfuturerealized.com/50 or wherever you listen to podcasts.

You can’t stop the chaos, but you can change the game.