Field Notes for Leaders: February 2026
Three Positions of Storm Leadership
There has been a lot of crisis in the caddying space this current season and i walk alongside leaders who are experiencing simultaneous load-bearing failure across multiple life pillars. It’s not just leaders dealing with hard things; it’s leaders trying to keep leading while their foundations are shaking. From a new mum not sleeping as she deals with a colic baby, to an executive hit with school registration issues and finding himself in the media, to a leader hit with chronic fatigue and family issues, to a vice president immersed in chronic internal workplace toxic relationships resulting in his resignation. Stuff happens. Families crumble, illness occurs, professional whirlwinds come from left field,
i am watching firsthand at the impact on their leadership – some continue but are only a shade of their real selves.
- Some are leading at their post in the storm. They’re still in role, still visible, still functioning, but operating at reduced capacity or under enormous pressure.
- Some are leading from the cave (a temporary withdrawal). They’ve stepped aside temporarily (might be medical leave, reduced hours, sabbatical or delegated authority)
- Some are leading from exile (a full withdrawal or departure). They may have had to leave their position entirely. It may be a termination, resignation, or breakdown.
All three are still leading. But the form of their leadership has changed.
When Leader’s are in Wartime (Not Peacetime)
Here’s what I’ve recognised from the field: Some leaders are in peacetime, and some are in wartime – and we’re trying to use the same playbook for both.
Peacetime leadership is about capacity building, growth, optimization and strategic thinking.
Wartime leadership is about crisis management, stability, survival and just getting through.
Leadership development programs are designed for peacetime – to make you stronger, better, more strategic. But who’s providing direction when you’re broken, depleted, or rebuilding?
Traditional leadership development assumes peacetime. And the advice sounds like this:
- ‘Build strategic habits for success’
- ‘Focus on your three key priorities’
- ‘Develop your emotional intelligence’
But wartime makes this advice feel laughable:
- You can’t build habits when you haven’t slept in four months
- You can’t focus on three priorities when you’re managing a legal crisis, a sick parent, and a team restructure simultaneously
- You can’t develop emotional intelligence when you’re just trying to hold yourself together
The metrics are completely different:
In peacetime, the win is: “I advanced three strategic priorities this month.”
In wartime, the win is: “I kept my team functioning while my personal world was falling apart” or “I got help before I completely burned out.”
Different seasons require different leadership.
THE INSIGHT: Are you in wartime?
Are you in Peacetime or Wartime?
You might be in wartime if:
- You’re operating at significantly reduced capacity due to personal or professional crisis
- Your foundations are shaking across multiple life pillars simultaneously
- You can’t think strategically because you’re in survival mode
- Traditional leadership advice feels impossible right now
If that’s you, you’re not failing. You’re in a different season that requires different perspective and skills.
In peacetime, you lead from the mountaintop – visible, strategic, aspirational.
In wartime, you may need to lead from a different position:
- From your post (holding the line while the storm rages)
- From the cave (strategic withdrawal to protect and rebuild)
- From exile (full departure and reconstruction)
All three are still leadership. The question isn’t whether you’re leading – it’s recognizing what form your leadership needs to take right now.
What’s Coming
Over the next few weeks, i’ll explore what leading from each of these positions actually looks like:
- How to recognise you’ve found yourself in wartime
- How you lead at your post when you’re depleted
- How the cave becomes a strategic position, not a failure
- How you lead yourself when you have no followers
- Why your brokenness might be exactly what your people need to see
But for now, just this: Are you in peacetime or wartime?
Not sure which season you’re in? The Peacetime vs Wartime Self-Assessment takes 5 minutes and will show you exactly where you are — and what to do next.
If you’re willing to share, e mail feedback@yourlifecaddy.com and tell me: What season are you in?
Each month this Field Notes for Leaders email will land in your inbox. Each month, i’ll share one insight from the survey data and the tool we’re building to address it. This is month’s tool: Wartime or Peacetime – what season are you in?
Your life caddy