Have you ever wondered if your work still matters? More and more people are quietly asking themselves this question, especially leaders, executives, and small business owners navigating constant change.
During COVID, “essential worker” became a mainstream phrase. It meant that some people’s work was vital to the fabric of society, while the rest of us stayed home. It was a strange and chaotic time.
Some businesses didn’t survive. Many restaurants, where the margins were already slim, tipped over the edge, and some brick-and-mortar stores closed. And yet, when things opened back up, there was a wave of hope. Life felt somewhat normal again.
But shifts are happening again. Executives and business owners are questioning if their work is essential, this time in a much subtler way. One that feels even scarier because it’s happening so quietly.
Costs are rising, technology is reshaping industries, and you’re probably asking: What is truly essential in my life?
And if you’re a business owner or leader, the question hits even harder.
You might wonder if what you offer is still essential to others. When business slows, it’s easy to spiral into a doom loop:
- My products and services aren’t needed anymore.
- My business doesn’t matter.
- I’m not essential.
As an executive coach and leadership consultant working with leaders and teams in Omaha, NE and the surrounding areas, I see this mindset show up often – in my clients and in conversations with executives and small business owners just like you.
And while it’s true that some businesses will close, you need to know: you are still essential.
While the technical skills you have might not be needed in the same ways, your leadership and communication skills – how you lead, listen problem-solve, and guide others – are what truly make you valuable. These are the skills at the core of effective leadership.
Nobody else has your exact mix of experience, insight, and perspective. That’s what makes you essential.
In times of uncertainty, strong leadership matters more than ever. You might be so good at your soft skills that they don’t feel special, but they are often the very skills teams and organizations need most.
What comes easily to you is gold for someone else. That’s often how you identify your strengths as a leader.
If you’re unsure what your leadership strengths are, try asking yourself:
- What do people come to me for as a leader?
- What do I do easily that hardly feels like work?
- How have I helped a team or individual through a stressful situation without even realizing it?
Those are your essential leadership skills.
And when you focus on using them, whether in your current role or a new direction, you create clarity, confidence, and momentum.
So when doubt creeps in, remember: the world needs your leadership. Always.
If you’re a small business owner, executive, or team leader in Omaha wrestling with how to use your strengths while leading others in a shifting world, let’s talk. Sometimes a conversation is the first step forward.
If you’re looking for more tools to stay positive when chaos ensues, check out the blog below (you might want to bookmark this one):
