Leading Through Recession: The Characteristics of Truly Resilient Leaders
Recessions force businesses to change. The leaders who thrive are the ones who see change not as a threat, but as an opportunity to realign. Let's talk about it.
Jenny Holly Hansen
By Jenny Holly Hansen | WBN News | April 3o, 2025
When economic storms hit — and they always do at some point — leadership moves from being a title to being a test. I’ve found that it’s not the loudest or the boldest who succeed during a recession. It’s the leaders who embody a specific, steady set of characteristics: calm, adaptability, decisiveness, and transparency.
In tough times, people don’t just need a boss. They need a true leader.
Calm: Steady Hands in Rough Waters
When uncertainty rises, emotions run high. Fear spreads faster than facts. I’ve seen how a leader’s ability to stay calm — to be the steady hand on the wheel — can make all the difference.
Calm isn’t about pretending everything is fine. It’s about acknowledging reality without panic. It’s projecting a sense of control and perspective that reassures teams, clients, and partners that while the situation may be tough, it is manageable.
When I’ve been in situations where everything felt like it was shifting underfoot, the calmest voice in the room always had the most power.
Adaptable: Embracing Change Without Losing Focus
Recessions force businesses to change — whether they want to or not. I believe the leaders who thrive are the ones who see change not as a threat, but as an opportunity to realign.
Adaptability doesn’t mean abandoning your vision. It means being flexible about how you get there. It’s the difference between leaders who cling desperately to old strategies — and those who spot new paths forward before others even realize the landscape has shifted.
In my experience, resilient leaders never tie their identity to a single method or model. They stay grounded in purpose, but fluid in action.
Decisive: Acting with Courage and Clarity
Uncertainty breeds hesitation, but hesitation can be lethal in a recession. I’ve found that resilient leaders understand the value of acting quickly and confidently — even when they don’t have perfect information.
Decisiveness doesn’t mean rushing blindly. It means making informed choices and being willing to adjust when new information comes in. It’s about not letting fear paralyze progress.
Especially in recessions, the best leaders focus on making the next right move — not waiting endlessly for the perfect one.
Transparent: Building Trust When It’s Needed Most
Trust is the real currency of leadership — and in tough times, it’s either reinforced or eroded.
I’ve seen how transparent leaders, the ones who communicate openly about challenges, decisions, and expectations, create stronger, more resilient teams. People don’t expect leaders to have all the answers. They expect honesty, empathy, and consistency.
Transparency builds loyalty and engagement when businesses need it most. It creates a sense of shared purpose and shared resilience.
Final Thoughts
Recessions don’t just test financial models — they test leadership models. And when I look at the leaders who not only survive but build lasting success through tough times, they all share those same core traits: calmness, adaptability, decisiveness, and transparency.
True resilience isn’t just about making it through. It’s about inspiring others to believe they can make it too — and then showing them how.
In uncertain times, that's the kind of leadership I aim to embody — and the kind I trust to build the future.
Let’s Keep Talking:
Jenny is a business insurance broker with Waypoint Insurance.
She is also a business development consultant with Impresario Partners, helping Canadian Business expand overseas.
She can be reached at 604-317-6755 or jholly-hansen@wbnn.news. Connect with Jenny on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-holly-hansen-365b691b/. Connect with Jenny at BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/jennyhollyhansen.bsky.social
Let’s Meet Up:
Jenny Holly Hansen is a cohost with Chris Sturges of the Langley Impact Networking Group. You are welcome to join us on Thursday’s from 4pm to 6pm at: Sidebar Bar and Grill: 100b - 20018 83A Avenue, Langley, BC V2Y 3R4
TAGS: #Jenny Holly Hansen # Recession-Proof #Leadership #Adaptability #Decisiveness #Transparency
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