11/13/2025

Four Valuable Lessons Leaders Can Learn from the Shutdown

Keep teams moving when fear and scarcity emerge

As the longest government shutdown in U.S. history finally concludes, its toll has been significant. Nearly a 45 days without pay has left roughly 1.4 million federal employees scrambling to cover essentials. While lawmakers debate the final details, many families are still facing missed payments, mounting bills, and uncertainty about when normal operations will resume.

Across the country, federal workers have stepped up to help each other—turning to social media to share resources and advice—everything from how to apply for emergency assistance to banks offering short-term interest-free loans to help cover bills. Others have started local threads to offer childcare swaps to save money on daycare costs. The collective action is a reminder that in the absence of functional systems, community often fills the gap.

It is a sobering moment, but the lessons extend beyond the government. When any organization faces systemic breakdown—budget freezes, furloughs, mission stalls or major team disconnect—the same human dynamics emerge. The question for leaders is this: What can this shutdown teach us about leading through crisis, fear and division?

Please select this link to read the complete  article from Psychology Today.