The start of a new year often comes with the expectation that we should be clearer, more confident, more prepared than we were before. Everything needs to be in alignment at the beginning of the year for progress to begin.
But leadership doesn't work that way.
Progress is rarely sparked by perfection. It's sparked by action. A catalyst does not wait for ideal conditions. It creates movement by initiating change.
In business, catalytic leadership looks like starting before you feel ready. It looks like making a decision with imperfect information. It looks like adjusting course when a plan no longer fits the reality in front of you.
Dr. Becky Kennedy, founder of Good Inside, often describes leadership as being the "pilot in the storm." You can't eliminate uncertainty or turbulence; that's never the goal. The goal is to remain steady and grounded while moving forward. While Dr. Becky uses this idea as a parenting concept, it holds a powerful parallel in business.
Effective leaders don't wait for calm conditions. They lead through complexity by staying connected to their mission, vision, values, and purpose.
Research consistently supports this; effective leaders aren't those who avoid uncertainty, but those who learn to make decisions and adapt within it. Progress isn't driven by perfection, but by the willingness to test, learn, and continue forward.
Leadership in these moments requires boldness and bravery. Being bold means caring deeply about your business, your people, and your purpose, and stepping forward even when the path isn't fully clear. Like a skilled pilot with a crew who trusts the flight plan, leaders who have built trust through their vision and values can navigate change with their team at their side, adapting and moving forward together.
The question probably isn't about how you're going to perfect your plan, but where you're going to apply forward motion. What is one decision you have been postponing because it doesn't feel fully resolved? What step could you take now that would move your business closer to where you want it to be? If you're looking for perspective, encouragement, or connection as you take your next step, get in touch with your fellow NAWBO Iowa members.
As you navigate challenges and lead change, remember that you don't have to do it alone.
