Leading is tough any time, but leading in a time of uncertainty makes it that much harder. Every business leader I talk with is struggling to plan for the coming weeks, with little chance to look ahead months or years. One key to getting a handle on these tumultuous times is making individual connections, and there are three leadership skills that can help.

Age and the workplace is a topic that never goes away. Using age as a criterion to put people in leadership roles can lead to problems. Why? Because much of what we believe about age isn’t true and comes with no scientific support.

We live in an age when many people feel isolated. There’s an epidemic of loneliness and alienation. Drowning out the sound of silence comes when we find and create connections that resonate.

I approached a recent book recommendation with skepticism, but “Of Boys and Men,” by Richard Reeves, was a pleasant surprise. I was disturbed, however, to realize just how many men are floundering in their education, work life and family life. I’m also troubled by how many women react to this information with disbelief and/or hostility. We need positive changes for all.

The people who control access and the flow of information to CEOs and other C-suite executives play an important role. They curate the information, and you know I love curation, but not in this case. What I do like is the “Top-5 Things” approach like the one used by Nvidia’s CEO.

Holiday parties, especially those with open bars, can be a recipe for disaster for leaders and employees. My friends at The Prinz Law Firm offer some great tips about holiday party do’s and don’ts.

Times are stressful. It’s not the first time we have felt this way and it won’t be the last. Difficult periods make it tough to lead, but there are words and paths to guide us. I recently thought of the Max Ehrmann poem, Desiderata, which opens with, “Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.” Maybe you’ll find some inspiration there too.

Employees are getting fired for seemingly small infractions, but why? Some corporations are cracking down in ways that might be aimed at cutting workers they think are less productive, but firing people for taking some office supplies or printing a personal document on the work printer can cause more problems than it solves.

Corporate culture tends to be a vague, fuzzy set of principles — something created because you’re supposed to have it, not because you intend to follow it or allow it to make a difference. But if we insist that corporate culture provide guidance about how to resolve ethical dilemmas in the workplace, it becomes a useful tool and not just a vibe.