When Rapid Change Brings Anxiety. How can leaders stay effective amid technological transformation, uncertainty, and mounting pressure? Rasmus Hougaard, co-author of More Human: How the Power of AI Can Transform the Way You Lead, recommends these actionable steps. Train your attention. You can’t control volatility, but you can control how you respond to it. Build habits that strengthen focus, adaptability, and clarity of mind. The more effectively you manage your attention, the better equipped you'll be to navigate uncertainty.

Read online  /  Manage email preferences

Harvard Business Review | The Management Tip of the Day
 

This week we’re sharing Management Tips based on HBR Executive Live events from the past year. Learn more about the HBR Executive subscription here. 

Today’s Tip

When Rapid Change Brings Anxiety

How can leaders stay effective amid technological transformation, uncertainty, and mounting pressure? Rasmus Hougaard, co-author of More Human: How the Power of AI Can Transform the Way You Lead, recommends these actionable steps. 

Train your attention. You can’t control volatility, but you can control how you respond to it. Build habits that strengthen focus, adaptability, and clarity of mind. The more effectively you manage your attention, the better equipped you’ll be to navigate uncertainty. 

Create space to think. Resist the urge to match the pace of constant change. Set aside time away from distractions to slow your thinking, reflect, and evaluate decisions more carefully. Clarity improves when you create space for deeper thinking. 

Treat emotions as data. When you feel anxious, frustrated, or overwhelmed, pause before reacting. Examine what those emotions are telling you. Anxiety, fear, and frustration often signal that something needs attention. Use their insight to inform your decisions without letting them control your actions. 

Invest in what makes you human. Use any time saved through technology for coaching, strategic thinking, relationship-building, and reflection. As AI becomes more capable, strengthen your awareness, wisdom, and compassion. 

Rasmus Hougaard against a blue background with a play. button in the bottom left corner.

This tip is adapted from the HBR Executive Live event

The Anxious Leader

Available exclusively to HBR Executive subscribers.

This tip is adapted from the HBR Executive Live event

The Anxious Leader

Available exclusively to HBR Executive subscribers.

Rasmus Hougaard against a blue background with a play. button in the bottom left corner.
 

 

How Change Really Works: Seven Science-Based Principles for Transforming Your Organization

How Change Really Works: Seven Science-Based Principles for Transforming Your Organization

by Julia Dhar, et al.

Learn more

Don’t forget you’re entitled to 20% off your first purchase*

*Use promo code HBRORGREG4.
View details here.

 

A tablet showing the HBR article To Create Value with AI, Improve the Quality of Your Unstructured Data.

Where business thinking begins

An HBR subscription gives you unlimited access to HBR.org, where leaders turn first to think through what's next.

Start your subscription

 
An illustration of an orange octopus.

Becoming an Octopus Organization

Learn to break down hierarchy, get rid of silos, and create an adaptable, resilient, learning organization in this eight-week newsletter series.

Sign up now
 

ADVERTISEMENT

 
The HBR Mobile App on a blue background, with texts