Morgan Massie of Leadership and Training Concierge On Five Things You Need To Be A Highly Effective Leader During Uncertain & Turbulent Times
Focus on relationships — Employees, partners, and customers need connection, not just direction. I have seen how businesses that invest in stronger team cultures and customer engagement emerge more resilient from crises.
As part of our series about the “Five Things You Need To Be A Highly Effective Leader During Turbulent Times”, we had the pleasure of interviewing Morgan Massie.
Morgan Massie is an award-winning leadership development executive, international best-selling author, TEDx speaker, CEO of Leadership and Training Concierge and co-founder/ Chief Learning and Development Officer of Empowered Ventures and the National Women Owned Business Directory. With a career dedicated to helping leaders and entrepreneurs scale their impact, she has built a business model that thrives on strategic connection, collaboration, and resilience. Through Leadership and Training Concierge, Morgan has created a network of top talent development professionals, allowing organizations to access world-class leadership training. Meanwhile, Empowered Ventures is a national initiative designed to amplify the visibility and success of women-owned businesses. As an ICF-certified coach, Forbes Coaches Council member, and PhD candidate, Morgan is passionate about leveraging connections to build sustainable business growth and leadership impact.
Thank you so much for your time! I know that you are a very busy person. Our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you tell us a bit about your ‘backstory’ and how you got started?
Absolutely! My journey into leadership development and entrepreneurship has been shaped by my love for connection, coaching, and empowering others. I spent years in corporate leadership and talent development, helping organizations build stronger leaders. But I realized that I was working incredibly hard to help others scale their businesses while putting my own dreams on hold.
That’s when I decided to take a leap — I left the corporate world and built Leadership and Training Concierge with a network-driven model, collaborating with other top leadership professionals to serve clients together. This approach gave me the flexibility to pursue my PhD in Business Management & Leadership while scaling my business.
Later, I saw an opportunity to help women entrepreneurs rise in the same way. That’s why I partnered with co-founders Hindi Marciniak and Nyla Allen to launch Empowered Ventures, which provides a women-owned business directory and a platform for collaboration, visibility, and growth. The journey has been filled with challenges, but every step has reinforced my belief in the power of leveraging relationships to create more impact, freedom, and opportunity.
It has been said that our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you made when you were first starting? Can you tell us what lesson you learned from that?
Oh, absolutely! When I first started consulting, I thought I had to say “yes” to everything to keep my business growing. I remember when I was working for a consulting group, I once agreed to lead a corporate training on a topic I had never taught before, thinking, “I’ll just figure it out!” But about five minutes into the session, I realized that the audience knew more than I did, and I had to pivot fast.
The lesson I learned was to know my lane and not be afraid to say no. My mentor at the time encouraged me to think hard about where my strength and expertise were vs continuing as a “Jane of all trades.” Now, I focus on leveraging my strengths and bringing in partners when needed. I don’t have to be the expert in everything — I just have to connect the right people to the right opportunities.
None of us are able to achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?
Yes, so many people have shaped my journey, but one pivotal mentor was a former boss who encouraged me to bet on myself. While catching up with him one day and discussing whether I should get involved in a new venture I was contemplating, he laughed and said, “Ah, Morgan, I thought you’d be running a Fortune 500 by now!”
In that moment, I wasn’t — but his words stuck with me. It reminded me that sometimes, others recognize our potential long before we do. That conversation, along with his advice, made me realize that I had already been doing the work — I was just all too often caught stuck doing it for someone else.
That realization changed everything. It gave me the confidence to build a business that aligned with my strengths and vision. And today, I pass that lesson on by helping other leaders and entrepreneurs step into their own power.
Extensive research suggests that “purpose-driven businesses” are more successful in many areas. When your organization started, what was its vision, what was its purpose?
Both of the businesses I’m involved with — Leadership and Training Concierge and Empowered Ventures — are built on the same core belief that connection creates impact.
For Leadership and Training Concierge, my vision was always to provide businesses with world-class leadership development through a collaborative network of experts. Instead of being a solo consultant, I built a model where I could bring in the right professionals for each client’s unique needs, creating customized leadership solutions at scale.
With Empowered Ventures, our collective vision and purpose was similar, but focused on women-owned businesses. We wanted to help women gain visibility, access, and support to scale their businesses. The directory is free to search, allowing consumers to find and support women-owned businesses locally and while traveling. It’s all about creating connections that fuel success.
Thank you for all that. Let’s now turn to the main focus of our discussion. Can you share with our readers a story from your own experience about how you lead your team during uncertain or difficult times?
During the pandemic, many businesses froze their leadership development budgets, and I had to pivot fast. Instead of waiting for things to stabilize, I leaned into my network and created joint offerings with other professionals.
We bundled services, co-hosted virtual events, and found creative ways to meet client needs even as budgets tightened. This approach didn’t just keep the business afloat, it helped my own network grow as partnerships I was developing with other talent development professionals saw the value in adaptive, network-based solutions.
I learned that uncertainty is easier to navigate when you’re not navigating alone. Strong leaders surround themselves with partners and collaborators.
Did you ever consider giving up? Where did you get the motivation to continue through your challenges?
What sustains your drive?
Of course. I’m a mom of two who’s pursuing her PhD while launching and running multiple businesses. Since launching out on my own, we’ve had to navigate illness, caring for aging parents, the pandemic, and a turbulent economic climate that has impacted client budgets. There were moments when I wondered if I should go back to a “safe” corporate role. But every time I doubted myself, I reminded myself that I didn’t leave to work harder, I left to create freedom, impact, and balance.
My drive comes from knowing that my work helps others grow, whether it’s a leader learning how to inspire their team or a woman entrepreneur gaining the visibility and resources she needs to scale her business. That impact keeps me going.
I’m an author and I believe that books have the power to change lives. Do you have a book in your life that impacted you and inspired you to be an effective leader? Can you share a story?
One book that profoundly shaped my leadership philosophy is The Infinite Game by Simon Sinek. It challenged me to rethink success, moving beyond short-term wins to focus on building something sustainable, adaptable, and meaningful over time. While Sinek emphasizes that leadership is not about “winning” but about playing for the long haul, I took this idea a step further — interpreting it as a call to prioritize collaboration over competition.
This mindset has deeply influenced both of my businesses and the outcomes-based approach I take in every aspect of my work. This philosophy has guided how I built Leadership and Training Concierge as a network-driven business, leveraging the strengths of a broader talent development community rather than operating in isolation. It also played a key role in my decision to partner with my co-founders of Empowered Ventures, recognizing its potential to be more than just a directory for women-owned businesses. I saw the opportunity to create a dynamic platform that fosters visibility, meaningful connections, and collective success, ensuring that women entrepreneurs have the resources and support needed to thrive.
The shift from chasing immediate success to prioritizing sustainable impact and continuous growth has been one of the most transformative leadership lessons I’ve ever learned. It has reinforced that success isn’t about outpacing the competition, but about building something that lasts — together.
What would you say is the most critical role of a leader during challenging times?
Clarity and connection. People look to leaders for direction and confidence, especially in uncertain times. If a leader is overwhelmed, their team will feel it. But if a leader communicates with clarity, stays adaptable, and focuses on connection, the team will follow.
When the future seems so uncertain, what is the best way to boost morale? What can a leader do to inspire, motivate and engage their team?
Show up, listen, and celebrate wins! During tough times, people need visibility and reassurance. Simple actions like acknowledging contributions, providing clarity, and reinforcing purpose go a long way in keeping morale strong.
What is the best way to communicate difficult news to one’s team and customers?
Be transparent, direct, and compassionate. People handle uncertainty better when they trust leadership. I always recommend three key steps:
Acknowledge the reality — don’t sugarcoat it.
Provide clear next steps — help people see a path forward.
Leave space for dialogue — let people ask questions and feel heard.
How can a leader make plans when the future is so unpredictable?
A leader must embrace flexibility and scenario planning rather than relying on rigid strategies. Instead of trying to predict every possible outcome, I focus on creating a framework for decision-making that allows for adaptability. This includes setting clear priorities, identifying key risks, and having contingency plans in place.
One approach I use is an outcomes-based approach — focusing on the desired results rather than rigid processes. Leaders should continuously assess external trends, listen to their teams, and be willing to pivot when necessary. By prioritizing core values and objectives over specific tactics, organizations can stay resilient and make informed adjustments, no matter what changes come their way.
Is there a “number one principle” that can help guide a company through the ups and downs of turbulent times?
Yes — connection drives resilience. The ability to build and maintain strong relationships with employees, customers, and strategic partners is what enables companies to weather uncertainty. Businesses that prioritize trust, communication, and collaboration are more adaptable and able to navigate challenges successfully.
In my own journey, I have experienced firsthand the power of leveraging connections to drive growth, innovation, and resilience — especially in uncertain times. Whether through my network of talent development professionals, engagement in networking groups like eWomen, or collaborations with thought leadership platforms such as Forbes Councils and bLU Talks, just as examples, these relationships have been instrumental in expanding opportunities. Additionally, partnerships with university professional development and extended studies programs have further strengthened my ability to scale and sustain success. The stronger the network, the stronger the business.
Can you share 3 or 4 of the most common mistakes you have seen other businesses make during difficult times? What should one keep in mind to avoid that?
Sure.
- Trying to go it alone — Many business owners (and people managers) feel they need to solve every challenge themselves. Instead, leveraging mentorship, partnerships, and collaboration can create new opportunities and solutions.
- Cutting communication — When uncertainty arises, some leaders pull back instead of increasing transparency. Employees and customers need consistent, honest communication to maintain trust and engagement.
- Resisting change — I’ve noticed that businesses that refuse to adapt often struggle the most. Leaders who remain open to new models, evolving customer needs, and creative problem-solving are more likely to succeed.
- Focusing only on the short term — While short-term adjustments are necessary, companies that abandon their long-term vision entirely can lose their sense of direction. The key is balancing immediate needs with a forward-thinking mindset. This goes full circle back to the “outcome oriented approach” I mentioned earlier.
Here is the primary question of our discussion. Based on your experience and success, what are the five most important things a business leader should do to lead effectively during uncertain and turbulent times? Please share a story or an example for each.
- Leverage your network! You don’t have to have all the answers, but you can tap into the right people. During uncertain times, I have relied on strategic partnerships to expand offerings and stay ahead of industry shifts.
- Prioritize clarity — Ambiguity creates fear, so communicate openly. When I work with teams facing disruption, I emphasize clear, honest conversations so employees and stakeholders feel informed and empowered.
- Stay adaptable — The best leaders pivot instead of panic. When the pandemic disrupted leadership training programs, I shifted to virtual and hybrid models, allowing my book of business to continue growing despite the challenges.
- Focus on relationships — Employees, partners, and customers need connection, not just direction. I have seen how businesses that invest in stronger team cultures and customer engagement emerge more resilient from crises.
- Lead with resilience — Mindset matters, and a leader’s energy impacts the entire organization. I practice personal resilience strategies, such as setting boundaries and prioritizing purpose-driven work, so I can lead with clarity and strength.
Can you please give us your favorite “Life Lesson Quote”? Can you share how that was relevant to you in your life?
One of my favorite life lesson quotes comes from Steve Farber’s book The Radical Leap:
“Do what you love in service of those who love what you do.”
Reading this quote for the first time was a pivotal moment for me. It reinforced the idea that success isn’t just about working hard — it’s about aligning your work with your passion and serving the people who genuinely value what you bring to the table. At the time, it was a huge “aha” moment because I realized I was not aligned with this. I was pouring my energy into work that didn’t fully connect with my strengths or the people I was meant to serve.
Since then, this philosophy has guided how I build my businesses, ensuring that every endeavor is both impactful and fulfilling. By focusing on the intersection of purpose and service, I have created a business model that is sustainable, rewarding, and deeply connected to the clients and communities I serve.
How can our readers further follow your work?
You can connect with me on LinkedIn (@MorganMassie), explore Leadership and Training Concierge at leadershipandtrainingconcierge.com, and check out the latest from Empowered Ventures and the Women Owned Business Directory on Instagram at @empowered_ventures.
Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!
Morgan Massie of Leadership and Training Concierge On Five Things You Need To Be A Highly Effective… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.