When the Ground Shifts, Link Arms

Why community is a leadership essential, especially in uncertain times.

We are living through seismic times. 

Times when the ground beneath us feels like it won’t stop moving—politically, environmentally, socially, spiritually. We feel it in our bodies, our relationships, our work. We sense the instability in our teams, in the systems we’re part of, in the ways we question whether what we’re doing is still enough—or even working. 

In moments like these, the temptation is to retreat. 

To hunker down, narrow our focus, protect what’s ours. It’s a deeply human response—one that even the most seasoned leaders can fall into when the world feels overwhelming. 

But the truth is: these are not the times to go it alone. 

When the ground shifts, we must link arms. 

Because leadership in chaotic times isn’t just about vision or decisiveness—it’s about connection. It’s about the strength and clarity that emerge when we are held in relationship with others. It's about not just leading others, but allowing ourselves to be led, supported, witnessed. 

Community Isn’t Just Comfort—It’s Capacity 

The power of community isn’t only in soothing our fears—it’s in expanding our capacity to lead, support others, and navigate complexity with clarity. 

Research from the Center for Creative Leadership shows that leaders who invest in strong relational networks are more effective at driving innovation, responding to change, and sustaining resilience in high-pressure environments. A report published in Harvard Business Review also found that leaders with strong social support are better at regulating emotions, managing stress, and making thoughtful decisions under pressure. 

When leaders are connected—personally and professionally—they are more likely to: 

• Seek diverse perspectives rather than defaulting to control 

• Model vulnerability and adaptability 

• Sustain their own well-being, reducing burnout and decision fatigue 

• Foster cultures of psychological safety where teams can thrive 

In short, connected leaders lead better—not because they have all the answers, but because they are resourced. Grounded. Not carrying the weight alone. 

Too often, especially in times of crisis, leaders isolate themselves in the name of strength or professionalism. But in doing so, they cut themselves off from the very thing that makes their leadership most powerful: interdependence. 

What It Looks Like to Link Arms 

Linking arms doesn’t require grand gestures. It’s not another item on your to-do list—it’s a way of being. 

It can look like: 

• Picking up the phone to check in on a colleague, without an agenda 

• Saying “I don’t know, but I’m open to learning” in a team meeting 

• Joining a community of practice or peer group that reflects your values 

• Letting your guard down just enough to let someone support you 

• Making space for stories and silence in the midst of urgency 

These moments of connection—repeated over time—become a quiet kind of leadership. A modeling of how to stay human, even when systems ask us to be machines. 

A Personal Reminder 

I’ve seen this play out in my own work—leading rooms filled with difference, sitting with people navigating heartbreak and transformation, holding space when the future feels unclear. Every time, the strength is not in the individual. It’s in the collective. It’s in the nods, the shared breath, the vulnerability that unlocks wisdom no one person could reach alone. 

And I’ve also felt the pull to disconnect. To protect my energy. To close the door. But every time I come back to community, I remember: this is where the clarity is. This is where the courage comes from. 

So I write this to remind you—especially if you’re in a position of influence or care: 

 You don’t have to lead alone. 

In fact, you shouldn’t. 

Link arms. 

Lean in. 

Let people hold you, too. 

Because when the ground shifts, connection isn’t just comforting—it’s what keeps us standing. 

“We don’t heal in isolation, but in community.” 

 — S. Kelley Harrell