The CEO Whisperer’s Guide to Leading in Turbulent Times
Being a CEO today isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s not just about driving shareholder value or delivering quarterly earnings. It’s about steering through an unrelenting storm of economic uncertainty, workforce transformation, technological disruption, and rising expectations from employees, customers, and communities.
Some days, it feels like being asked to juggle flaming swords while balancing on a tightrope. Blindfolded.
I’ve earned the nickname of the “CEO Whisperer” because of my ability to step into these turbulent moments, bring clarity, and help leaders navigate the complexities they face. Having worked with dozens of CEOs and boards across industries — often during the most difficult chapters of their organizations’ stories — I’ve seen firsthand what separates the leaders who thrive from those who merely survive.
It isn’t charisma. It isn’t pedigree. And it certainly isn’t just strategy. It’s how they show up as whole humans in moments of crisis.
The New CEO Reality
We are in an era of constant disruption. Inflation spikes, global conflicts, climate events, and political polarization put new pressure on business models. Artificial intelligence and digital transformation are redefining industries almost overnight. Meanwhile, employees expect more than just a paycheque — they want purpose, flexibility, and leaders they can trust.
This isn’t the CEO role of the 1980s, or even the 2010s. The days of issuing directives from the corner office are gone. Today’s leaders are expected to be strategist, operator, communicator, culture-builder, and human being — all at once.
The stakes are higher than ever. And so is the scrutiny.
Three Traits of CEOs Who Thrive in Turbulence
Based on years of coaching and working alongside top executives, I’ve distilled three traits that matter most right now: candor, adaptability, and whole human leadership.
- Candor with Care
Too many CEOs still default to corporate spin or silence when faced with tough news. Employees and stakeholders can see right through it. The leaders who build trust are those who speak plainly about reality — good, bad, or ugly — while also showing empathy.
Candor doesn’t mean being brutal. It means being transparent about the challenges while acknowledging the human impact. I once coached a CEO who had to announce a major restructuring. The first draft of his message read like an accounting ledger. We reworked it into a message that was honest about the company’s financial position but also recognized the weight of the moment for employees. The result? People didn’t love the news, but they respected the honesty, and they stayed engaged throughout the transition.
- Decisive Adaptability
Analysis paralysis kills organizations in times of turbulence. CEOs who thrive are willing to make bold decisions with imperfect information, then adjust quickly as conditions change.
Adaptability isn’t about being reactive. It’s about being decisive while staying open to course correction. Think of it as steering a ship through rough waters — you can’t freeze at the wheel waiting for the waves to calm down. You make the best turn you can, and you keep scanning the horizon.
One CEO I worked with was hesitant to embrace AI-driven solutions, fearing employee backlash. We reframed the decision as an opportunity for reskilling and future-proofing the workforce. By acting quickly, the company not only gained a competitive edge but also increased employee engagement because people felt invested in the transformation.
- Whole Human Leadership
Perhaps the most important — and most overlooked — trait is leading as a whole human. Vulnerability and empathy are no longer “soft skills.” They are survival skills for leaders.
This doesn’t mean CEOs need to overshare or lose authority. It means they are willing to acknowledge uncertainty, admit when they don’t have all the answers, and surround themselves with people who will challenge them.
The best CEOs I’ve seen aren’t afraid to ask for help. They listen deeply, they value diversity of thought, and they model the behaviours they want their organizations to embody. They understand that culture isn’t built on slide decks — it’s built on the choices leaders make every single day.
Whispering Through the Noise
When I’m brought in as a “CEO Whisperer,” it’s rarely because a leader lacks intelligence or experience. It’s usually because they’re stuck in the noise — pulled in a dozen directions, under pressure from every angle, and unsure how to balance competing priorities.
My role is often to hold up a mirror and ask the tough questions they may be avoiding:
- Are you being honest with yourself — and your people?
- Are you acting with clarity and courage, or waiting for certainty that will never come?
- Are you leading as a whole human, or hiding behind the title?
More often than not, the answers unlock a path forward. Not an easy path, but a clearer one.
Final Thoughts
Turbulence is not going away. The pace of change will only accelerate. But that doesn’t mean CEOs are doomed to be tossed around by the waves. With candor, adaptability, and whole human leadership, they can turn turbulence into transformation.
The CEOs who thrive in this next era won’t just be the smartest in the room. They’ll be the most human.
And sometimes, all they need is a whisper to remind them of that.
