Clara, a leader, felt exhausted and ineffective due to her boss's constant shifts in direction. Her boss repeatedly changed his mind, often after Clara had already updated her team. This destabilizing pattern left Clara unsure how to respond, as pushing back felt too vulnerable and her concerns weren't heard in one-on-ones. The team's morale suffered, leading to increased errors and a sense of disconnection. This situation is common in fast-paced environments where bosses appear unaware of the frustration they cause. The core issue isn't inconsistency but a clash of perspectives stemming from different beliefs and experiences. Clara's boss prioritizes creativity and quick thinking, while Clara and her team focus on execution, fearing questioning will seem incompetent. This leads to "courteous compliance," where the team agrees but doesn't truly align, reinforcing the boss's belief that the problem is merely execution speed. Instead of just keeping up, a better approach is to "step into the tension" and build understanding through inquiry and curiosity. The goal is to understand the motivation behind changes and discuss expectations rather than immediately acting. This involves asking questions that reveal the thinking behind the change and seeking alignment on shared goals. It's also crucial to clarify the impact of changes and negotiate priorities. By "staying with it" and skillfully navigating these moments, leaders can foster greater understanding and improve outcomes for themselves and their teams.