Why real leadership now determines the future of your company

Every crisis shows who really leads – and who merely manages. Uncertain times are a touchstone for companies, as they ruthlessly reveal which organisations are able to keep their team together and which are slowly falling apart. While some emerge stronger from the crisis, others lose their most valuable asset unnoticed: the motivation, commitment and trust of their employees.

The real danger is not the one that is obvious. It is not just falling sales, not just rising costs, not just market changes that threaten your company. It’s what happens quietly in the background – barely visible, but with far-reaching consequences. In many companies I talk to, I see tired or jaded employees instead of motivated ones. Employees who switch off inside because real leadership is missing. They then only do the bare minimum, stay out of strategic discussions and no longer contribute any new ideas. Quiet quitting – quitting in their thoughts – they are only physically there.

This is precisely the point at which it is decided which companies will pass the stress test of the crisis – and which will be left behind.

Why CEOs often realise too late that their company is already losing momentum

Many executives believe that the biggest risk in times of crisis is financial constraints or uncertain markets. But while they focus on external challenges, they overlook the internal risk: a workforce that quietly withdraws, especially when they see challenging times ahead for the organisation and a lack of real leadership. The effect is often gradual. High performers who used to be full of energy are suddenly less present, question less and no longer take on additional responsibilities. Managers often only realise when it is too late – when important projects stall, innovations fail to materialise or redundancies are suddenly on the table.

It is at these moments that you realise who really leads a strong company.

– Who is able to hold their team together not only organisationally,

– but also emotionally.

– Who ensures that uncertainty does not become a paralysing factor, but instead puts your company in a secure position for the future through genuine leadership, for example through clever communication, integration and orientation.

Only those companies that take their employees with them now will master the disruptive times well or be stronger than before.

Leadership now determines the future or standstill

In times of crisis, leadership is not a theory. It is the most important lever for keeping a company stable. It is not enough to take cost-cutting measures or hold strategic meetings. What really counts is whether your managers are able to show leadership, absorb the uncertainty in their team and motivate people, even and especially when things aren’t going smoothly. Create a working environment in which employees feel connected to the company even in difficult phases.

Because these moments show whether you are running a company with a future – or whether your company is slowly drifting towards stagnation. There is a reason why some companies emerge stronger from crises, while others struggle for years to regain their former performance.

– Some have invested in their culture, in their leadership, in the way they deal with uncertainty.

– Others have just been waiting for things to ‘get better’.

How can you ensure that your company is a winner?

A real-time check for your corporate culture – before it’s too late

In times of uncertainty, gut feelings and assumptions are dangerous. CEOs who trust that everything will work out are at risk of overlooking blind spots. Traditional employee surveys are of little help in such moments, as they only provide extracts and you only see what you ask and therefore have on your radar. My experience shows that hypotheses, which we define as the starting point for problems in companies, often do not address the real causes that companies really need to tackle.

This is exactly where Better linked comes in. The platform makes it possible to record the motivation and commitment of your employees in real time. Without distortion, without embellished answers. Instead of just guessing where action is needed, you gain concrete insights into which issues are really burning, where frustration is growing and where you as a manager need to take action and at which points leadership is required.

Because one thing is certain: companies that act now will not only survive, but also grow in the long term. Managers who realise now that their employees are the key to the future will be running a different company in six months’ time than those who only pay attention to costs and processes.

Are you ready for this stress test?

Volatile times in particular show which companies have the right focus. Those with the wrong focus often need years to repair the damage. The real question is not whether you will survive the difficult times – but what state your company will be in afterwards.

Will you be left with a stable, motivated team that believes in your vision? Or with a workforce that has lost its emotional connection in recent months and is just waiting for the next career move outside your company?

The decision is being made right now.

If you want to ensure that you pass this stress test as a winner, then act now. Let’s find out together where your organisation really stands – and how you can prevent hidden problems from becoming real risks. Are you ready to take on leadership? Then let’s talk about it now.