Thriving Through Change: How Leaders Can Recenter, Refocus, and Regain Traction

Change is never a matter of “if” but “when,” that is the case in our personal lives but also in the workplace. Since disruption is unavoidable, the organizations that thrive are those that empower their leaders to navigate it with resilience and clarity. At C-Suite Coach, we believe that change is more than something to be endured, we see it as a catalyst for growth when approached with the right mindset and practices. When change arrives, professionals may slip into survival mode, however, leaders who recenter, refocus, and regain traction can turn uncertainty into opportunity and strengthen the foundation for lasting success.

Why Resilience Matters Now

The Disruption Divide: Our latest data reveals a critical gap in preparedness. A staggering 84% of leaders feel underprepared for future disruptions, while 60% of board members acknowledge their companies aren't ready for the next major event. It's time to bridge this gap and build resilience.

It should come as no surprise that resilience is the name of the game in the current climate. In fact, this year’s Future of Jobs Report, published by the World Economic Forum, identifies resilience as one of the top skills for the future of work, noting that as technology reshapes industries and economic conditions shift, organizations require leaders who can adapt quickly and stay grounded in uncertainty (World Economic Forum, 2025). Despite this need, according to research conducted by McKinsey & Company, “A full 84% of leaders report feeling underprepared for future disruptions, and 60% of board members say their companies are not ready for the next major event” (McKinsey, 2025). That gap has real consequences, including decreased employee engagement, lower productivity, and higher turnover when change is not managed effectively. Thus, it becomes clear that building resilience is a strategic capability. Leaders who embrace resilience inspire confidence, sustain performance during turbulent times, and model the adaptability that teams will need in the years ahead.

Recenter: Empowering Practices

One of the most important things leaders can do when feeling overwhelmed by change is recentering themselves. Recentered leaders are able to think more clearly, prioritize effectively, and respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively. This process starts with adopting empowering practices such as mindfulness and self-efficacy. Mindfulness is the discipline of anchoring attention in the present moment, without judgment, and it has been shown to improve both decision-making and stress management. In fact, a randomized trial with more than 1,400 employees at UCSF found that participants in a digital mindfulness meditation program reported significant reductions in stress, burnout, anxiety, and depression, along with increases in mindfulness, job reward, and work engagement, with these improvements sustained at a four-month follow-up. In addition to mindfulness, self-efficacy, the belief in one’s ability to solve problems and achieve goals, strengthens a leader’s sense of agency. Leaders who practice these habits build trust in themselves and project stability to their teams. Recentered leaders communicate more clearly, make more deliberate choices, and create psychological safety for others navigating the same change.

Refocus: A Growth Mindset

After finding balance, leaders must refocus on cultivating a growth mindset. It is true that navigating change might lead to mistakes, setbacks, and failures, but it also offers the chance to learn new skills, test new strategies, and deepen problem-solving abilities. Leaders with a fixed mindset may see setbacks as proof that they are not capable, while leaders with a growth mindset view challenges as opportunities for improvement. The difference in mindset directly shapes organizational culture. Research shows that organizations perceived as having a growth mindset foster stronger cultural norms like collaboration, risk taking, and innovation, which in turn lead to higher employee trust and commitment. (Canning et al., 2019). This is also true in a sales setting, where individuals with a growth mindset report being able to convert job satisfaction and supervisor trust into deeper organizational commitment (Nelson & Walsh, 2021). This is because growth-oriented leaders model curiosity and resilience. They encourage experimentation, reward effort, and value lessons learned rather than punishing mistakes. By refocusing on growth, leaders position themselves and their teams to approach change with optimism and adaptability instead of fear and resistance.

The 3 R's of Business Growth: Recenter, Refocus, and Regain Traction. This slide outlines the essential steps for C-Suite leaders to adopt empowering practices, shift their mindset for growth, and bounce back from challenges.

Regain Traction: Turning Setbacks Into Momentum

Recentered and growth-minded leaders are well-positioned to take the final step: regaining traction. This stage is about moving from reflection into forward motion, even if the path is uncertain. Leaders can regain traction by pulling threads from past experiences, identifying patterns in their strengths, values, and skills, and connecting those to the challenges they face today. For example, reflecting on prior victories and the capabilities that made them possible can provide energy and direction when new obstacles arise. Regaining traction means leaders do not allow setbacks to define them but instead use them as springboards to reassert momentum. This approach shifts the narrative from “change slowed me down” to “change propelled me forward.” Leaders who can model this resilience advance their own growth and create a ripple effect across their teams.

Call to Action

The bottom line is: thriving through change requires intention, discipline, and courage. It begins with recentering by prioritizing practices that sustain well-being and clarity. It deepens with refocusing on growth mindsets that transform challenges into opportunities. And it culminates with regaining traction, where leaders move from reflection into meaningful action that builds engagement and drives progress. At C-Suite Coach, we know that every disruption carries the seed of opportunity and the leaders who thrive are those who choose to see change as a teacher rather than a threat. The question for today’s executives is not whether change will come (it always does) but how prepared they will be to lead themselves and others through it with resilience, purpose, and vision.

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