Leading Through the Noise Without Getting Overwhelmed

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I am becoming firmly rooted in my Big Mama role and what that responsibility means – today. For many former students and staff who looked to me for leadership, I have become a trusted friend, coach, mentor; occasionally bestowed the title of “Auntie” for a few and known as “Mama P” to others. Hence, with these multifaceted roles, one thing holds steady, learning how to share my wisdom as a wise elder, my knowledge and experience – a seasoned leader.

Recently, I encountered one of those “what would Big Mama say” moments during a text exchange with a former student. We exchanged simple pleasantries to the question about how we were doing like, “Oh, I’m good” or “I’m doing okay”. Along the text thread came this: (with a teary-eyed emoji), “It’s definitely been a challenging few weeks [since the start of the new year] - I’ve got to find a way to be informed about what’s going on and not be overwhelmed with it.”  My former student, now eight years post-Masters, is an amazing school social worker; managing a caseload of students experiencing homelessness with diverse needs, along with other community/advocacy responsibilities - a demanding job. How do I respond to that? What would Big Mama say? Yet, in the moment, all I could do was reply with a heart emoji; I knew it would take more than what my fingers could handle in a text exchange. Heck, I find myself struggling with that same question these days.

How do you stay grounded and informed in challenging times?

I thought I’d try to unpack this question in the way I think Big Mama would: with wisdom, grace, and a practical plan to keep us leading and serving others even when the road gets rough. I also enlisted the help of my Aunt Lela, my family’s matriarch; the last living child of my maternal grandmother, aka “Big Mama”. For in her 99 years, she has definitely seen her share of social change, challenging times, and how do we “manage” it all without letting the weight of the world crush our spirit, harden our hearts, or derail our mission?

It’s easy for leaders to feel stretched thin as social policies are changing fast, societal pressures and uneasiness are mounting - when the world feels like it’s spinning faster than we can keep up. Yet, as leaders, our responsibility is clear: to stay informed, to stay steady, and to keep serving with purpose and intention. The work of guiding individuals and communities doesn’t stop. For servant leaders, who pride themselves on putting others first, these moments can feel particularly overwhelming. Yes, it’s important to know what policies are shifting, how communities are affected, and where the needs are. But we don’t have to drown in the noise.

Collective wisdom from this “Big Mama” and the centenarian.

Some thoughts on how to stay informed and not get overwhelmed – (that I couldn’t reply back in that text message thread).

• Learn to Lead Through the Noise. People look to leaders for stability. Servant leaders, those who are among the “adults in the room” carry the emotional intelligence to lead. They don’t need you to have all the answers, but they do need you to be clear-headed, compassionate, and confident in your purpose.

• Stay Rooted in Your Purpose: Remind yourself daily why you do this work. Whether it’s to serve families, empower communities, or advocate for justice, let your purpose be your compass when the noise feels too loud.

• Teach Critical Thinking: Encourage others to dig deeper than headlines and think critically about what’s happening around them. A well-informed community is a strong community. Big Mama didn’t just tell you what to do—she taught you how to think for yourself.

• Focus on What’s Within Your Control: You can’t change every policy or solve every crisis, but you can make an impact in your circle of influence. You can educate your community about how to navigate the changes; you can advocate and amplify their voices.

• Filter Your Information: Choose trusted sources that provide context, not just chaos. Whether it’s the morning news, nonprofit sector updates, or policy alerts, set limits. Spend a set amount of time each day staying updated, then move on. Leadership requires focus.

• Own Your Calm. Be a Calm Presence: Your calm can be a refuge for those you lead. Take care of yourself - so you can show up ready. You cannot pour from an empty cup, and you cannot lead with clarity if you don’t know what’s going on around you.

Weekly wisdom, in their own words:

“Remember everything happens for a reason, and you better stay grounded. Chile, in my life, I’ve endured some hard things, and now I get to put my feet up and talk about it!”

-    Aunt Lela (1925 - )

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