A few weeks into 2026, it’s looking like another wildly unpredictable year. Ann Francke OBE CMgr CCMI, CMI’s chief executive, used her latest column in The Times to address the anxiety that leaders often face during unstable times. “In a fast-moving environment, silence is toxic,” she warned. She urged leaders to be clear on their intent and honest about what’s unknown, while setting short-term priorities and empowering line managers to lead with empathy.