By Reina Hasting
In our work to serve others and in our daily lives, we’ve all faced unexpected challenges, like shifts in funding or sudden changes in our community. These moments challenge us to navigate change that often feels out of our control. The key to moving forward is learning to let go of what we can’t control and choosing to lead with a forward-thinking mindset. Leaning into a place of faith (believing in what you can’t see), meaning trust, possibility and purpose; rather than fear, can positively shape our outcomes, no matter how tough the circumstances are.
Whether you are a community organizer, a neighbor, a family member, a service provider or a frontline worker, you are a leader and a role model. Someone is looking up to you: a client, a volunteer, a niece, a child or a peer. We are all influential in our circles, big or small.
Our mindsets are the filters through which we guide others and live our own lives, directly impacting the experiences and mental health of both ourselves and the people around us. In any situation, we can choose to move forward with faith or fear:
• Faith/trust: Leads from trust, possibility and shared purpose.
• Fear/control: Leads from threat, control and anxiety.
Both mindsets drive action, but their effects on our mental health and the wellness of our teams and families are dramatically different.
Leaders who lean toward faith, in community, family and work, operate with the assumption that people are capable, that setbacks are learning opportunities and that there is meaningful purpose behind the effort. This mindset builds psychological safety. The shared belief that people feel safe to speak up, ask questions and learn without fear of blame or punishment.
Research consistently shows that psychological safety and trust are linked to a wide range of positive outcomes, including:
• Positive mental health: Lower levels of anxiety and better coping when things go off course.
• Stronger resilience: The ability to bounce back from difficulty.
• Improved engagement: More willingness to reflect, share feedback and encourage a culture of learning rather than blame.
These behaviors protect our mental health and extend to those we serve and work with, reducing burnout and fostering a supportive environment.
In contrast, a mindset driven by fear focuses on “What if we fail?” or “What if someone makes a mistake?” This stance often emphasizes control, vigilance and risk avoidance. This creates a culture of defensiveness and stress where mistakes are hidden instead of learned from, voices are quieted and stress builds. Mental health suffers, leading to chronic stress, rumination, anxiety and disengagement.
This “survival mode” of leadership or interaction has a hidden negative cost: It erodes trust, transparency and the overall well-being of the entire group.
Shifting from a default of fear to one of faith is a practical process, but it requires time, effort and consistency. Here are simple, research-backed steps you can use in your professional and personal life:
• Reflective pause: Before reacting, take a moment to ask yourself “am I acting from fear or from trust?” Recognizing the emotional root of your action is the first step to changing your behavior.
• Model vulnerability: As a leader or role model, you build trust and safety when you admit uncertainty, ask for input or share your own “what ifs.” This improves openness and communication for everyone.
• Celebrate learning, not just success: Reframe setbacks as valuable opportunities to grow. When you replace a “blame culture” with a “growth culture,” you reduce stress and build collective resilience.
• Anchor in purpose: Connect your team or family to a deeper “why.” Focusing on the meaning and purpose behind the work, whether it’s serving the community or raising a family, provides a shield for well-being, even when the immediate results are challenging.
In essence, faith-based leadership doesn’t ignore risk or failure; it engages them with courage, support and purpose. By choosing this approach, we foster mental health not only for the people we lead and serve but also for ourselves.
Reina H. Hasting, who has a master of public health degree, is a program manager with the UAF Cooperative Extension Service’s Investing in Our Neighbors project through the NIFA Rural Health and Safety Education Program. You can reach her at rhhasting@alaska.edu and 907-474-2437.
