Lead with Confidence: Lessons for Nonprofits in Uncertain Times

“Lead with confidence” is a phrase that carries a special and somewhat ironic meaning in my house. After my wife and I got married, once we finished opening all of the presents and settling into married life, we did what so many newly married couples do: we adopted a puppy.

Our golden retriever, Rosie, brought us endless joy and a crash course in caring for another living thing other than ourselves. She was also the most gentle, timid creature to ever live; scared of new situations and hesitant to step outside her comfort zone.

When she finished her first puppy training class, where she mostly clung to us and refused to follow any of the instructor’s commands, we were given a graduation certificate with her photo. We were told to pick a frame for it, and we chose one that said, “Lead with Confidence.”

Maybe we were manifesting something. In reality, the irony of that phrase next to Rosie’s nervous little face was just too funny to pass up.

All these years later, that phrase has taken on a special meaning in our family. When faced with a tough situation or a task we don’t want to complete, my wife and I like to remind ourselves to “lead with confidence.”

Lately, I’ve been thinking about that phrase a lot, and not just because of Rosie.

While I’d like to think none of us are quite as timid as she was, we’re all stepping into uncertainty right now. Federal grants are up in the air. A government shutdown is straining major institutions. The disruption of programs like SNAP is putting enormous pressure on the very nonprofits that keep families afloat.

None of us were trained to lead through this kind of upheaval. Just as we did during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, our sector is being asked once again to fill the gaps created by dysfunction, to stabilize communities that feel anything but stable. And yet, nonprofits keep showing up.

That’s what leadership looks like.

Leading with confidence doesn’t mean pretending everything is fine. It means making the best possible decisions with imperfect information. It means balancing optimism with realism. It means acknowledging your team’s fear and fatigue and helping them see the purpose that keeps you all moving forward.

So, how do we “lead with confidence” when the ground beneath us feels like it’s shifting every day?

1. Control what you can. You can’t change the political climate or the economy, but you can control how your organization responds. Update your contingency plans, revisit your fundraising calendar, and communicate clearly with your staff and donors. Preparation isn’t pessimism; it’s confidence in action.

2. Invest in your people.Your team is watching how you handle uncertainty. This is the moment to prioritize transparency, empathy, and flexibility. Check in with your staff not just about their workload, but about how they’re doing. When leaders model steadiness, it creates stability that ripples outward.

3. Keep the mission front and center.It’s easy to get lost in logistics when everything feels urgent. But your mission - the reason you exist - remains the constant through chaos. Reground yourself and your team in that “why.” When the noise gets loud, focus on the people you serve.

4. Communicate, even when you don’t have all the answers.Uncertainty breeds anxiety, and silence amplifies it. Communicate early and often with your donors, partners, and stakeholders. Even a simple “Here’s what we know and what we’re watching” can go a long way toward maintaining trust.

5. Celebrate progress, however small.Confidence isn’t just about charging ahead; it’s about acknowledging growth. Recognize your team’s wins, however incremental. Momentum builds resilience.

The nonprofit sector has weathered recessions, pandemics, and policy shifts before, and we’ll do it again. Confidence isn’t the absence of fear; it’s the decision to keep moving despite it.

So the next time you’re facing a tough call, remember

Rosie: nervous but still showing up, inching forward with all the courage she could muster. Lead with confidence.

If your organization needs help planning for uncertainty, adapting strategy, or strengthening internal communication, we’re here to help.

Reach out to Team Kat & Mouse for a free consultation - we’ll help you lead forward with clarity and confidence.