Modern Mentor Leading through uncertainty: Why you need an expedition mindset
Jan 20, 2026
Explore the concept of expedition leadership, where teams navigate uncertainty together rather than relying on the false certainty of tour-guide leadership. Discover the power of sharing observations rather than conclusions to enhance collective understanding. Learn to make your assumptions clear and treat friction as valuable data for improving workflows. Rachel emphasizes the importance of proactively supporting colleagues and taking the time to gather information before rushing to conclusions.
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Museum Tour Versus Real Work
- Rachel Cooke describes visiting the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum and following a flawless tour guide named Linda.
- She contrasts that museum certainty with the uncertainty leaders face in most workplaces to set up her main argument.
Workplaces Need An Expedition Mindset
- Rachel Cooke argues most workplaces require expedition leadership, not tour-guide certainty.
- She frames modern organizations as environments of constant change that need collective navigation rather than perfect answers.
Report Observations, Not Conclusions
- Share concrete observations instead of confident interpretations in meetings.
- Stop after stating what you saw and let the team collectively interpret the data.