Leading Through Change: A Somatic Perspective on Ambiguity and Uncertainty

Change in the workplace is inevitable—but how we experience it begins in the body.

When major change occurs—like restructuring, new technologies, or unclear decisions—employees often feel the effects before they can name them. The nervous system registers uncertainty as a potential threat because it disrupts predictability and control—two conditions that help the brain and body feel safe. This isn’t just stress; it’s the body alerting us: something is changing, and we don’t yet know what it means.

Presence First

Traditional leadership approaches emphasize planning, messaging, and execution. But in moments of change—especially when ambiguity is high—what’s needed first is presence, not performance. This is where somatic awareness becomes essential.

Somatic awareness invites leaders to tune into the signals of the body—both their own and others’—and use that information to lead with greater clarity, calm, and compassion. It’s the difference between reacting from fear and responding from a place of felt safety and curiosity.

Ambiguity is particularly difficult because it strips away the ability to predict and plan. Unlike uncertainty, which involves known possibilities and outcomes, ambiguity leaves the future undefined. This lack of clarity can erode a sense of agency, increase anxiety, and lead to disengagement.

Signs of Safety

Leaders may feel pressured to “have the answers,” but in undefined moments, it’s often more powerful to model regulated presence. When a leader notices their own physical cues—like shallow breathing or mental fog—and takes a moment to settle, they send a powerful signal of safety. That presence alone can ease tension and support positive co-regulation across a team.

The 3N Model—Notice, Name, Navigate—offers a practical, embodied way to lead through change. While traditional frameworks help map where people are, the 3N Model helps leaders meet them there. By noticing physical cues, naming emotional truths, and navigating responses with intention, leaders build trust—not just through words, but through their tone, timing, and grounded presence.

In times of change, the body doesn’t need all the answers. It needs to feel safe—or safe enough.

Leading with somatic awareness isn’t about fixing discomfort. It’s about staying present with it and expanding the window of tolerance. That’s how we shift from reaction to regulation—and build trust, connection, and resilience along the way.