From Panic to Perspective: How to Reframe and Reassure During Uncertain Times
When the world feels unpredictable, most of us don’t want to face it alone.
Whether you're a leader, service provider, teammate, or just a good friend/family member, there are moments when someone around you is in the middle of their own VUCA storm - dealing with volatility, uncertainty, complexity, or ambiguity that’s rattled their perspective.
And here’s the thing: You don’t need to have all the answers to be helpful.
Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is help someone slow the swirl so they can see a path forward.
First, Help Them Find Their Footing
When someone is overwhelmed, their brain is likely stuck in fight-flight-freeze mode. Logic, problem-solving, and creativity go offline. Before you can guide someone toward a solution, you must help them regulate - emotionally and cognitively.
Here are a few ways to create that grounding effect:
⭐Stay calm and steady yourself. Your tone, energy, and body language matter.
⭐Validate their experience. You don’t need to agree to say, “This sounds really tough.”
⭐Give them time to exhale. Even a few deep breaths or a walk around the block can shift the nervous system.
⭐Then, when they’re ready, you can help them reframe.
Why Reframing Works
Reframing doesn’t mean denying reality or sugarcoating the situation. It means helping someone see it from a different angle - so they can move from being stuck to focusing on solutions.
Think of reframing as gently turning the lens so they can see options instead of obstacles. You’re not erasing the storm, but you are helping them steer through it.
Helpful Phrases for Reframing a VUCA Moment
Here are some practical, down-to-earth phrases that you can use in conversations - whether you're coaching someone, leading a team, or talking to a friend:
⭐To Normalize and Ground
“It makes sense that you’re feeling overwhelmed - this is a lot.”
“Anyone in your shoes would be spinning a bit right now.”
⭐To Shift Focus Toward Agency
“What’s one small thing you can do today that would make this feel a little more manageable?”
“Even when we can’t control everything, there’s usually something we can influence. Want to brainstorm that together?”
⭐ To Reframe the Narrative
“What if this is less about failure, and more about a pivot point?”
“What could this be setting you up for that you hadn’t considered yet?”
⭐To Invite Reflection
“Looking back, have you navigated something like this before? What helped then?”
“What’s the story you’re telling yourself about this - and is there a different version that could be just as true?”
The Power of Calm, Curious Presence
Helping someone in a VUCA moment isn’t about fixing it for them. It’s about creating enough safety and space for them to find their own footing.
Sometimes the greatest gift you can give someone isn’t a solution - it’s your presence, your belief in their capacity to move forward, and a few well-timed questions that help them reframe the situation they’re facing.
Because the truth is, we all need a little help remembering:
📌 We’ve done hard things before. We’re not powerless. We’re just figuring out the next right step.