The Quiet Creep of BANI

As summer begins, I’ve been reflecting on what I’m seeing across the many spaces I coach and consult—family enterprises, legacy-driven companies, military and corporate teams alike. There’s a theme emerging, and I wanted to share it with you in case it resonates.

We are living inside BANI, and many don’t yet have language for it.

Brittle. Anxious. Nonlinear. Incomprehensible. These words describe the undercurrent leaders are experiencing, but not naming. What I’m hearing instead is:

• “This isn’t sustainable.”

• “I’m burned out but don’t know what to cut.”

• “The demands are unpredictable and hard to prioritize."

VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) helped us in the past. But now, it’s BANI we’re navigating—and it's more emotional, more human. It affects how we lead, how we care, and how we connect.

Trends I’m Seeing in Coaching Executive Leaders

• Leaders crave language. When we don’t have the words, we default to overwhelm. Giving language to this moment is a relief in itself.

• Courage is understood, but rarely practiced fully. Most leaders admire courage in others but struggle to risk vulnerability or name hard truths within their teams.

• Small wins are powerful. I’m seeing people reconnect with their voice, their values, and find quiet contentment in small, meaningful shifts.

• Caregiving is a hidden weight. Many leaders are in the “sandwich generation”—caring for aging parents while launching their own children. Mortality is top of mind. So is purpose.

• Vacations are no longer a luxury—they’re a necessity. Authentic connection and rest are becoming non-negotiable for those who want to lead with longevity.

A Cautionary Note for Legacy Leaders

Sometimes, the greatest threat to morale is not market conditions, but the blind spots of those at the top. When senior leaders are overly affixed to strategy, they may unintentionally disconnect from what’s really happening on the ground. A question worth asking:

Are we aware of how our influence affects the emotional environment of the organization?

Frameworks That Matter Right Now

• BANI – Recognize its emotional toll and how it’s redefining resilience.

• Attachment Styles – Useful for understanding how stress shapes relationship patterns in teams.

• Impactful Accountability – It’s not enough to assign responsibility. Are we completing the accountability cycle with reflection, repair, and renewal?

A Final Word

This summer, I hope you carve out time to rest, reflect, and renew. People depend on you. And we need leaders who are not just strategic thinkers, but whole human beings—grounded, present, and willing to feel.

With care,

Char