CIC: A Simple Strategy for Staying Steady in an Unsteady World For HR Leaders and Senior Managers to use—and to share

Across workplaces right now, people are carrying a heavier emotional load than usual. Rising fuel and food prices, escalating rents and rates, uncertainty about AI and job security, and a general sense of global instability are creating the perfect storm for stress, anxiety, and fatigue. Even the most resilient among us are feeling stretched.

For HR professionals and senior leaders, this isn’t just a personal challenge—it’s an organisational one. Teams look to you for steadiness, clarity, and hope. One of the most practical ways to support both yourself and others is to offer simple, memorable tools that help people regain a sense of control and calm.

One such tool is the CIC Strategy: Control, Influence, Cope. It’s easy to teach, easy to remember, and surprisingly effective.

CONTROL — What can I actually control?

When the world feels overwhelming, many people get stuck in the “if only” loop: If only I’d bought a different car… If only the government would fix this… If only I’d seen this coming…

But the truth is, we cannot personally control global fuel shortages, inflation, or geopolitical instability. Recognising this is not defeat—it’s liberation. It stops the drain of emotional energy into things that will not change no matter how much we worry.

The first step is simply acknowledging: “This part is outside my control.”

That realisation alone can reduce frustration and help people move forward.

INFLUENCE — What can I influence, even in small ways?

Once we stop wrestling with the uncontrollable, we can redirect our energy to what is possible.

Maybe we can’t change global prices, but we can influence how we respond day-to-day:

  • Carpooling, cycling, or using public transport
  • Adjusting routines to reduce costs
  • Shopping at local markets
  • Cooking more at home
  • Advocating for workplace flexibility to reduce commuting stress

These actions may not solve the crisis, but they soften its impact. They help people feel resourceful rather than helpless.

COPE — How do I take care of myself when I can’t control or influence the situation?

When neither control nor influence is possible, the focus shifts to coping—constructively, not passively.

Coping might look like:

  • Exercising or walking outdoors
  • Practising mindfulness or meditation
  • Hosting simple, low-cost catch-ups with friends
  • Re-engaging with hobbies
  • Limiting exposure to distressing news
  • Remembering past challenges you’ve already survived

This is where resilience grows. It’s the moment people realise: “I’ve navigated tough times before. I can navigate this too.”

Why CIC Works

By consciously eliminating the mental clutter of what we cannot control or influence, people experience:

  • Reduced anxiety
  • Greater clarity
  • A calmer emotional baseline
  • More energy for what truly matters
  • A renewed sense of capability and resilience

For leaders, CIC is a powerful framework to share in team meetings, wellbeing initiatives, coaching conversations, and organisational communications. It gives people a way to reframe stress and regain agency—something everyone needs right now.

A final thought for leaders

You don’t need to fix the global situation. You don’t need to have all the answers. You simply need to offer tools that help people feel grounded, capable, and supported.

CIC is one of those tools. Use it yourself. Share it widely. And remind your teams that resilience isn’t about being unaffected—it’s about knowing where to place your energy so you can rise to the challenge.

Resilience isn’t about being unaffected—it’s about knowing where to place your energy.