I can still remember the tug of my small hand in my father’s, following him through the forests of Wyoming. With his fishing rod in tow, my sisters and I would trail behind as he led us through what we came to call “Peter Seligmann deer trails”–not the marked kind, but meandering routes only he could see and understand. My dad always had a destination in mind, usually the beautiful Snake River with some hidden fishing holes along the way, but it was never a path without obstacles. We’d cross chest-deep water, tiptoe across slippery beaver dams, or sink into unexpected mud.

At the time, I didn’t realize he was teaching us that the path isn’t always clear. The obstacles are not in the way—they are the way. This lesson has shaped how I live and lead, especially in moments of uncertainty. When the way forward is unclear, I’ve learned to return to what grounds and guides me. And for me, that has always been my core values.

Right now, the world feels more uncertain than ever. Climate, conflict, inequality, and technology are reshaping everything we depend on–often faster than we can process. It is easy to feel lost.

That is why at The B Team we have taken this moment to pause and ask a critical question: how do we need to lead to meet this moment?

This question has shaped our recommitment to our mission and organizational values. It reminds us that leadership in times like these isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about having a compass. And ours points toward care, collaboration, and courage.

• Care for humanity and our planet;
• Collaborate for lasting impact;
• Lead with courage for today and future generations.

No one exemplifies these values like our Chair, Jesper Brodin.  As he closes an extraordinary chapter, after 30 years at IKEA, the last eight as CEO of Ingka Group, we celebrate all he has accomplished. His leadership has demonstrated how business can be both commercially strong and deeply values-driven, even in turbulent times. We are grateful that Jesper will continue to bring this same courage and clarity of purpose to The B Team as we navigate the road ahead together.

Just like those early walks in the woods with my dad, we may not know what terrain we will encounter, but we do know what will guide us. We also know what future we want to continue to shape: where people and the planet are not afterthoughts, but at the center of the story.

Leah Seligmann is the Chief Change Catalyst & CEO of The B Team. Learn more about Leah.

"The Catalyst" is The B Team’s monthly newsletter which showcases ways in which leaders are advocating a better way of doing business. Subscribe to receive updates.