Eye of the Hurricane: Finding Stillness in the Storm
Written by Wendy White | CEO Continuum Consulting Services
We cannot control the storm, but we can choose where we stand within it. We can lead from the eye—with clarity, compassion, and courage. That’s where the real dance begins.
We are living in extraordinary times. The pace and scale of disruption—pandemics, geopolitical instability, climate disasters, systemic injustice, and economic volatility—create a constant swirl of uncertainty. The 24/7 news cycle amplifies every shock, and the noise can be deafening. If we’re not mindful, it’s easy to get swept up in the storm—emotionally, mentally, and even organizationally.
“You can dance in a hurricane, but only if you’re standing in the eye.”
The result? Burnout. Anxiety. Disconnection. A growing sense of hopelessness. I see it in my friends, colleagues, clients—people who are normally grounded and strong, now stretched thin by the relentless waves of disruption.
Yet amid the chaos, there is a concept that continues to ground me: the eye of the hurricane.
Having lived through several major storms—including Hurricane Fred, when I was working for the City of Raleigh, and more recently, Hurricane Helene, which devastated my beloved Asheville community—I’ve witnessed firsthand the power and paradox of the eye. While the outer bands wreak havoc, the center of the storm—the eye—is profoundly still. In that space, the sky opens. The sun or stars appear. There is warmth and calm. Clarity exists within the chaos.
This metaphor has stayed with me. The question I keep returning to is this:
How do we cultivate our own "eye of the hurricane"—as individuals, teams, and organizations—so we can respond with clarity, resilience, and purpose, even as the world churns around us?
Over the past few years, I’ve been intentionally experimenting with this idea. Here are a few key learnings:
1. Presence Is Power
When we are fully present—in our breath, our body, our immediate environment—we can step out of reactive mode and into awareness. Presence helps us pause long enough to choose how to respond, rather than being swept away by the storm.
Business Application: Leaders who can stay grounded amid uncertainty make better decisions, inspire confidence, and reduce anxiety in their teams.
2. Boundaries Are Strategic
Just as the eyewall protects the calm center, we must design boundaries that guard our focus, time, and energy. This means limiting media consumption, protecting space for rest, and being intentional about what (and who) we let in.
Business Application: Organizational clarity comes from disciplined prioritization. Boundaries enable sustainable performance, especially in fast-changing environments.
3. Community Is a Stabilizer
In a hurricane, you don’t survive alone. Likewise, navigating uncertainty requires connection. Trusted relationships—whether personal or professional—create anchors. They remind us, we’re not alone in the storm.
Business Application: High-trust teams are more resilient. Culture isn’t just a feel-good concept—it’s your storm shelter.
4. Purpose Is a North Star
When the external world is unpredictable, a clear sense of inner or organizational purpose becomes the compass. Purpose aligns our actions, fuels our courage, and brings meaning to the mess.
Business Application: Companies that stay rooted in purpose are better equipped to adapt, innovate, and lead through crisis.
5. Stillness Is a Leadership Strategy
Silence isn’t empty—it’s full of insight. In stillness, we hear the signal through the noise. Stillness isn’t passivity; it’s a space of re-calibration and intentional action.
Business Application: The best strategies are rarely formed in the chaos. They’re forged in the calm—when reflection meets foresight.
We cannot control the storm, but we can choose where we stand within it. We can lead from the eye—with clarity, compassion, and courage. That’s where the real dance begins.