In a recent episode, host John Golden sat down with David Johnson, CEO and founder of Verve, to discuss what it takes to lead effectively during economic uncertainty and crisis. Drawing on over 25 years of experience in private credit, capital markets, and risk management, David shared actionable insights on leadership mindset, decision-making, and building resilient organizations.
This in-depth blog post distills the main themes and expert advice from their conversation, offering a comprehensive guide for leaders seeking to thrive—not just survive—when the going gets tough.
1. The Leadership Mindset: Moving Beyond Inaction
Key Insight:
In times of crisis, the greatest competitor is often not another company, but the temptation to do nothing. Inaction, or “no decision,” can paralyze organizations and squander opportunities.
Actionable Advice:
- Recognize the Trap of Inertia:
Many leaders freeze during uncertainty, hoping to wait out the storm. This is rarely a winning strategy. Instead, acknowledge the risk of inaction and commit to moving forward. - Adopt a Problem-Solving Mindset:
David Johnson emphasized the importance of tackling problems one at a time. Break down overwhelming challenges into manageable pieces and address them sequentially. - Rally Around a Shared Vision:
Momentum builds when the entire organization believes in a compelling mission. Leaders must articulate and reinforce this vision, especially when the path ahead is unclear.
Expert Tip:
“Leadership requires rallying the team around a shared, compelling vision. When the entire organization believes in the mission, momentum builds naturally.” — David Johnson
2. Authentic Communication: Building Trust in Uncertain Times
Key Insight:
People take their cues from leaders. If leaders project fear or indecision, the organization will mirror that energy. Authenticity is critical—false optimism erodes trust.
Actionable Advice:
- Be Honest About Challenges:
Don’t sugarcoat reality. Acknowledge difficulties openly, but also communicate confidence in the team’s ability to overcome them. - Embrace “Comfort with Discomfort”:
At Verve, this means being willing to have tough conversations and make hard decisions, even when the outcome is uncertain. - Model the Behavior You Want to See:
Employees look to leaders for emotional cues. Demonstrate resilience, transparency, and a willingness to act.
Expert Tip:
“People can sense inauthenticity, which undermines trust. Instead, leaders should embrace ‘comfort with discomfort’—being willing to have difficult conversations and take decisive action even amid uncertainty.” — David Johnson
3. Taking Action Amid Uncertainty: The Power of Forward Momentum
Key Insight:
Any action is better than none. Waiting for perfect information leads to stagnation. Progress comes from making decisions, learning, and adjusting as you go.
Actionable Advice:
- Divide and Conquer:
Separate challenges into those you can control and those you can’t. Focus your energy on the former. - Prioritize Immediate Progress:
Don’t get bogged down by long-term plans at the expense of short-term action. Small wins build confidence and momentum. - Develop a Reflex for Action:
Train yourself and your team to move forward, even when the path isn’t fully clear. This builds organizational agility.
Expert Tip:
“Developing a reflex to move forward despite uncertainty is key. Everyone experiences hesitation, but the will to act is what differentiates successful leaders.” — David Johnson
4. Focusing on What You Can Control: A Stoic Approach
Key Insight:
Leaders often waste energy worrying about uncontrollable external factors. A stoic mindset conserves resources and sharpens focus.
Actionable Advice:
- List What’s Within Your Control:
Write down the issues you can influence and those you can’t. Consciously redirect your attention to the former. - Practice Emotional Discipline:
When feeling overwhelmed, pause and re-center on actionable steps. - Encourage Team Focus:
Help your team adopt the same discipline, reducing anxiety and increasing productivity.
Expert Tip:
“This stoic approach helps conserve mental and emotional resources, allowing leaders to solve problems sequentially rather than becoming overwhelmed.” — David Johnson
5. Course Correction: Embracing Flexibility and Adaptability
Key Insight:
Making a wrong decision isn’t fatal—failing to adapt is. Rapid course correction is a hallmark of resilient organizations.
Actionable Advice:
- Act, Observe, Adjust:
Take action, monitor results, and be ready to pivot. Treat decisions as experiments, not final verdicts. - Learn from Every Outcome:
Even missteps provide valuable information. Use them to refine your approach. - Plan for Flexibility:
Build contingency plans, but don’t become rigidly attached to them. The process of planning is more important than the plan itself.
Expert Tip:
“Action reveals information and informs the next move. Flexibility and adaptability are essential in business.” — David Johnson
6. Purpose, Passion, and the CEO Mindset
Key Insight:
Reconnecting with your purpose and passion is vital, especially in tough times. Leadership is most effective when it’s authentic and mission-driven.
Actionable Advice:
- Reflect on Your “Why”:
Regularly revisit the reasons you lead and the impact you want to make. - Find Fulfillment in Service:
Focus on the value you deliver to clients, employees, and stakeholders. - Embrace the Role:
Even if you didn’t aspire to be a leader, accept the responsibility and find meaning in it.
Expert Tip:
“Deep fulfillment in leading the company, working with clients, and delivering value fuels ongoing commitment.” — David Johnson
7. Uncovering Hidden Strengths: Coaching and Team Development
Key Insight:
Turbulent times reveal hidden strengths in people. Coaching accelerates individual and team growth, building a strong leadership bench.
Actionable Advice:
- Invest in Coaching:
Bring in performance coaches to work with both individuals and teams. This enhances effectiveness and cohesion. - Encourage Equanimity:
Foster a culture where people remain calm and effective amid disorder. - Normalize Coaching:
Overcome resistance by framing coaching as an investment in performance, not a sign of weakness.
Expert Tip:
“Consistent coaching across a leadership group creates a ‘superpower’ by accelerating integration and team cohesion.” — David Johnson
8. Managing Information Overload: Protecting Your Focus
Key Insight:
Leaders must be mindful of the information they consume. Doom scrolling and partisan news can sap energy and clarity.
Actionable Advice:
- Limit Social Media Use:
Set boundaries around news and social media consumption. - Seek Balanced Sources:
Diversify your information diet to avoid echo chambers. - Encourage Healthy Habits in Your Team:
Model and promote information hygiene to reduce collective anxiety.
Expert Tip:
“Limit social media use and seek balanced news sources to avoid getting trapped in echo chambers.” — David Johnson
9. Personal Resilience: Clearing Mental Clutter
Key Insight:
Leaders need regular mental breaks to maintain clarity and resilience. Physical activity and hobbies that demand full attention are especially effective.
Actionable Advice:
- Engage in Physical Activities:
Martial arts, yoga, running, weightlifting, or motorcycling can help you get out of your head and reset. - Schedule Regular Breaks:
Make these activities a non-negotiable part of your routine. - Encourage Team Members to Do the Same:
Support your team in finding their own ways to decompress and recharge.
Expert Tip:
“Regularly clearing the mind prevents the buildup of stress and overthinking, enabling leaders to maintain clarity and resilience.” — David Johnson
Our Host
John is the Amazon bestselling author of Winning the Battle for Sales: Lessons on Closing Every Deal from the World’s Greatest Military Victories and Social Upheaval: How to Win at Social Selling. A globally acknowledged Sales & Marketing thought leader, speaker, and strategist, he has conducted over 1500 video interviews of thought leaders for Sales POP! online sales magazine & YouTube Channel and for audio podcast channels where Sales POP! is rated in the top 2% of most popular shows out of 3,320,580 podcasts globally, ranked by Listen Score. He is CSMO at Pipeliner CRM. In his spare time, John is an avid Martial Artist.
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