7 Advantages of Uncertainty That Leaders Maximize Everyday
You wouldn’t choose uncertainty, but the Rolling Stones were right. You can’t always get what you want.
Successful leaders find advantage in uncertainty.
7 advantages of uncertainty:
#1. Develops character.
Uncertainty is opportunity to become your aspirational self.
#2. Sifts priorities.
Uncertainty exposes what truly matters.
#3. Provides rich context for gratitude.
Gratitude is noticing and acknowledging benefit or advantage.
Gratitude matters most when it’s uncomfortable. Gratitude ‘for’ benefits or advantages is easy and fun.
Finding advantage or benefit ‘in’ uncertainty tests values and requires intelligence.
What advantage hides in current uncertainties?
#4. Disrupts assumptions.
When assumptions dissolve, thinking begins.
#5. Presents opportunity for humility.
Certainty invites arrogance and arrogance makes us intolerable. Humility opens hearts and minds.
#6. Provides a reality check.
Acceptance precedes solution. You never solve a challenge you ignore. But solving an illusion squanders talent and resources.
Accept reality as it is, not as you wish it to be.
#7. Creates intense focus on the next step.
Uncertainty is opportunity to glance at distant goals and concentrate on next steps.
It was dry in Central Pennsylvania this summer. The river in World’s End State Park was unusually low. We walked the rocky riverbed to get close to the water.
It’s easier to walk fast if you keep your head down.
Glance at the goal. Concentrate on the next step.
Walking slow on unstable footing is harder than walking quickly. You take a step. Find your balance and find the next step. Walking quickly is easier.
Find a way to quickly take the next small step.
Don’t focus on your destination when the terrain is unstable.
Locate footing for the next step WHILE taking this step.
Balance is found AS you move forward.
Glance up occasionally to adjust direction. But maintain focus on the next step.
What dangers do you see in uncertainty?
What advantages do you see in uncertainty?
Bonus material:
12 Reasons to Embrace the Chaos and Move Forward in Life (Gratefulness)
Moving Forward in Uncertainty (HSDI)
The Uncertainty Advantage (Strategy+Business)
How apropos for the times. Impactful writing, as always.
Thanks Dawn. Here’s to a good day.
Uncertainty–The data keeps changing?
What’s the quality of the data?
Am I looking at the right data? Am I looking at enough data?
Can I connect the dots in the right way to make sense out of the current situation?
Uncertainty can force you to take a fresh look at the current situation.
Thanks Paul. Great questions. It seems the worst thing we can do is grip the handle bars harder and pedal faster during uncertainty. Love the idea that uncertainty is an opportunity to take a fresh look at the current situation.
When things are going well, we keep thinking the same way. There’s some truth to, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”
As a sidebar, I’ve read the counter-intuitive idea of, “If it ain’t broke, break it.”
“Accept reality as it is, not as you wish it to be.” Reality is life and the future is always uncertain. Yes one might have a high confidence (for various reasons) that the near and distant future will be as desired, planned and expected but then, Murphy (remember him) or Karma (remember her) might just pop up and set you on a different pathway. So be real, be confident and don’t fill yourself with fear, doubt and uncertainty (as some wish you would). Go forth head up, heart aligned and try to make something and/or someone better today.
Thanks Roger. “… the future is always uncertain.” It’s so easy to forget that when things are going well. We count our chickens before they’re hatched and spend our cash before it comes in. Better to be vigilant and optimistic.
Thank you Dan. I needed this wisdom, especially this morning!
Thanks Carol. Best for the journey.
Thank you for posting this! I think there are a lot of people including myself I need to hear these things in these uncertain times. God bless.
Since we are living in such uncertain times, this is a timely and much needed topic. Uncertainty is almost always terrifying due to not knowing what comes next, if were prepared for what is next, and the feeling of being out of control. However, if this year has taught us anything, uncertainty can be character building. It gives us an opportunity to make what we want out situations. Uncertainty can keep us on our toes!
The uncertainty of 2020 has forced my team and I to continually adjust, change and focus on priorities within bounds of ever-shifting changes. Uncertainty has actually forced me to focus on what matters, deliver beyond expectation and focus on individuals on the team. The constant adjustments of working-from-home, learning to work with children in the home, business demand and budget fluctuations has actually brought my team closer together. We understand that everyone has a struggle or a challenge and we lean-on one another to accommodate and deliver consistent results! This was an unexpected benefit of an ever-changing and challenging 2020.