When the Ground Shifts, So Can You
In 1986, our founders walked away from a business that no longer supported their values — and built one that did. It was a bold move during uncertain times, powered not by perfect timing or guaranteed success, but by a shared belief that it was possible to do better. For themselves. For their families. For others who had been left out or underestimated.
That belief — that you can lead with values, even when the future feels unclear — remains central to how we work with our clients today. And in a moment like this, it’s more relevant than ever.
Let’s be honest: the economic landscape is rocky. From rising operational costs and tariff uncertainty to hiring slowdowns and cautious consumer spending, many business leaders are facing difficult decisions.
And beneath the forecasts and spreadsheets is something deeply human — the pressure to try and do right by your employees while keeping your business sustainable.
We work with employers across the region who are navigating these questions every day, and what we’ve found is this: a resilient mindset doesn’t solve every challenge, but it does shape how you show up to meet them.
The Real Picture
In Oregon, more than 737,000 households — disproportionately communities of color and single parents — are just one emergency away from being unable to meet their basic needs. And it’s not just a local story: Bankrate’s 2025 data shows that nearly 60% of Americans don’t have enough savings to cover a $1,000 emergency expense.
This instability affects every corner of our communities — including your team. Even full-time workers are feeling the squeeze, and financial stress has a direct impact on focus, productivity, and well-being.
At the same time, employers are being asked to do more with less. To retain talent with fewer resources. To compete for candidates in a market where compensation isn’t the only factor. And to make hard calls (about headcount, budgets, and benefits) in an environment that keeps shifting.
So, what helps?
Why Mindset Matters
How you relate to yourself, your leadership, and your team during this time matters.
Resilience isn’t just a buzzword; it’s something that grows from how we respond to pressure. And one of the most overlooked aspects of resilient leadership is self-compassion.
According to Dr. Kristin Neff, a leading researcher on the subject, self-compassionate people can identify when they’re feeling defeated or inadequate, but avoid becoming lost in those feelings. Instead of ruminating, they’re able to respond to themselves with kindness — and move forward with clarity and purpose.
This kind of mindset isn’t soft. It’s strategic. Leaders who approach themselves and others with compassion are more likely to make thoughtful decisions, stay grounded under pressure, and create healthier team dynamics.
It’s a shift from relentless self-criticism to a more sustainable kind of accountability. From “We’re not doing enough” to “We’re doing the best we can with what we have — and we’re still learning.”
Leading By Example
You set the tone for your team. When you acknowledge uncertainty but stay values-aligned, your employees notice. When you create space for connection — not just productivity — it builds trust. When you take a walk, unplug for a moment, or show up in the community, you model what sustainable leadership looks like.
In fact, we’d argue that one of the best ways to get clarity as a leader right now is to get offline. Real insight and opportunity don’t always come from behind a screen.
✔️ Attend an industry event in your city.
✔️ Take time to talk with your team about what’s working — and what isn’t.
✔️ Partner with a non-profit for a volunteer day.
✔️ Take a 15-minute walk without your phone and see what comes up.
Especially during uncertain times, leadership is about presence. Not just performance.
Supporting Yourself and Your Team:
💡 Set realistic priorities. You don’t need to solve everything at once. Focus on one area of progress, whether it’s retention, communication, or culture.
🤝 Invest in connection. Your team needs more than direction; they need to feel seen, heard, and supported.
🧠 Protect your nervous system. Sleep. Movement. Laughter. They aren’t indulgences; they’re essential.
💬 Be kind to yourself. You’re not failing — you’re navigating a hard moment, and your effort matters.
🌱 Model the mindset you want to cultivate. Show your people what it looks like to lead with compassion, flexibility, and clarity.
At Boly:Welch, we don’t believe in hustle-at-all-costs or shame-based leadership. We believe in building better workplaces — ones where people can show up as whole humans and contribute meaningfully, even when times are tough.
Mindset isn’t magic. But it is one of the most durable tools we have to weather change, together.
We’re here when you need us.
We have more resources to support employers right this way.
