The Wingdale Harbors Newsletter

Dear Reader,

If there's one thing I've learned from decades of coaching executives and advising organizations, it's this: the quality of your leadership is only truly tested when conditions are uncertain. Anyone can lead when the path is clear. The real question is — can you lead when it's not?

This month, I want to share three principles from my book New-School Leadership: Making a Difference in the 21st Century that are especially relevant right now:

1. Listen Before You Act

In uncertain times, the temptation is to project confidence by making quick decisions. But the LEADERSHIP model teaches us that listening is the foundation of effective action. Before announcing a new strategy, ask your team what they're seeing on the ground. Before restructuring, understand what's actually broken. The best leaders gather intelligence before they deploy it.

2. Communicate with Radical Transparency

Your team can handle hard truths. What they can't handle is silence. When information is scarce, people fill the gap with anxiety. Share what you know, acknowledge what you don't, and explain the principles guiding your decisions. As I write in Where Is Your Why?, purpose-driven communication builds trust even when the news isn't good.

3. Invest in People, Not Just Plans

Strategic plans are important, but they're only as strong as the people executing them. The organizations that emerge strongest from uncertainty are the ones that doubled down on talent development rather than cutting it. This is a core theme in Make It Happen — the best investment you can ever make is in human potential.

From the Blog This Month

Here are three recent posts that expand on these themes:

• New-School Leadership: Why Yesterday's Playbook Is Failing — A deep dive into the LEADERSHIP model and why it matters now more than ever.
• The 12 Steps to Reimagining Your Career — Practical strategies for professionals navigating career transitions.
• Where Is Your Why? — Why purpose is the missing ingredient in most success formulas.

What's Coming Up

I'm excited to announce new modules in the Online Course catalog focused on crisis leadership and adaptive strategy. If your organization needs customized support, our Corporate Training and Executive Advisory services are designed for exactly these moments.

Until next month — lead with purpose, act with courage, and never stop learning.

Warm regards,
D.A. Abrams
Author, Speaker, Executive Advisor