Most people think tariffs only impact manufacturers. But I see the impact in the boardroom.

Here’s what’s happening:

Tariffs raise the cost of materials.
Companies tighten budgets to stay afloat.
Executive searches get delayed—or canceled altogether.

And this isn’t limited to the private sector. I work with nonprofits and mission-driven orgs that rely on global partnerships, tech infrastructure, or donor dollars tied to economic conditions. They’re feeling it too.

Here’s the challenge:

Hiring gets paused not because leadership isn’t needed, but because uncertainty creates hesitation.

And that hesitation can cost organizations the very leaders they need to navigate these rough waters.

The smarter move?

Adapt your hiring strategy to meet the moment. Align leadership roles with today’s realities, such as global supply chain shifts, budget constraints, and operational pivots.

If you’re in that pause phase right now, I get it.

But waiting too long could mean falling behind. Over the next few posts I’ll share a few strategies to help you rethink your leadership pipeline, starting with how to lead through uncertainty.

Let’s start the conversation.

How is your organization approaching hiring in this economic climate?