In health care (and in Minnesota) right now, uncertainty is more than the occasional visitor. Recent events in our great state of Minnesota have reminded us just how quickly the ground beneath us can shift. Complex public issues, heightened emotions, public safety concerns and the tragic deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti have left many feeling unsettled, anxious and searching for answers.
These moments are deeply human — they stir emotions, raise questions and challenge our sense of stability. They also touch many different parts of our community in different ways.
For those working to protect our communities, such as local law enforcement, first responders and local politicians, these times bring their own set of challenges: balancing public safety with compassion, navigating heightened emotions and serving communities under intense scrutiny.
In health care, we face parallel pressures — rising costs, workforce shortages and the strain on struggling health care businesses that are working tirelessly to keep their doors open and continue serving patients.
As leaders, we may not have control over these circumstances, but we do have the ability to navigate uncertainty with compassion, courage and openness.
Uncertainty can feel like a threat because it disrupts our desire for clear plans and clean answers. But I’ve come to believe it can also be a catalyst, an invitation to lead with greater clarity, courage and care. In times of chaos, the most valuable leadership skill is creating the conditions where solutions can emerge.
Navigating it starts with truth
Navigating uncertainty starts with naming what we know, while also recognizing that people may experience the same events differently depending on role, background and lived experience. Our teams don’t need us to pretend everything is fine; they need us to show them we can face reality without being consumed by it. When we say, “Here’s what we know, here’s what we don’t and here’s what we’re doing next,” we replace anxiety with direction. We turn ambiguity into action.
It also requires a willingness to learn and adapt without abandoning our core. Strategies may change. Structures may shift. Priorities may evolve. Values cannot. In health care, our “why” is bigger than any quarter, any headline and any disruption: we exist to serve people at their most vulnerable moments. When we anchor to that mission, decisions get clearer, even when outcomes aren’t guaranteed.
Most importantly, uncertainty is navigated best together. Community is not a nice-to-have; it is our operational advantage. When we share what’s working, what’s not and what we’re learning, we shorten the distance from challenge to progress. We remind one another: you are not alone in this.
Even in these difficult, uncertain times, I’ve never been prouder of our state, our communities and the people who call this place home — including those who serve, protect, care for others and keep our communities safe, stable and connected. I have witnessed neighbors stepping forward to help one another, organizations opening their doors to provide resources and countless individuals choosing compassion over division. These acts of kindness and solidarity remind me that uncertainty can also be a catalyst for connection — a moment when we lean in, listen and lift each other up. It is in these shared efforts that our resilience shines the brightest.
We may not control the chaos. But we can choose our response. Uncertainty becomes a bridge to what’s possible when we lead with steady resolve, values and connection.
If you’re needing help releasing what no longer serves you, leaning into the unknown and building confidence as you adapt to unfolding situations, consider joining one of our upcoming experiential “Navigating Uncertainty Through Improv” events. Sarah Line, founder of Boredroom Breakout, will help you translate self-trust into action during the Feb. 4 and March 4 TRUST member events.
And if you are looking for resources and ways to support the community, please reach out to the TRUST. We can help put you in touch with local organizations. You can also explore additional community support options here.
Holly Scholl serves as the 2026 TRUST President and is the Director of Strategic Alliance Management for Omada Health, where she oversees strategic health plan partnerships to help their members reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases, improve outcomes and lower overall health-care spend. Throughout her 20+ year career, Holly has held a series of leadership and account management roles at prominent health care organizations, including serving as Senior Director for Population Health Sustainability at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, a Customer Success Executive at Zipnosis and a Strategic Account Director at Solera Health. In these roles, she partnered with health care organizations to develop strategies that improve health outcomes, drive sustainable health solutions and streamline access to care. Holly is a long-standing member of the TRUST, having served on the Sponsorship and Programming Committees as well as Chair for the Associate Board.