uncertainty Archives - executive education, leadership development, coaching and thought leadership executive education, leadership development, coaching and thought leadership

predictable leadership in uncertain times

How to be a more predictable leader in an uncertain world
By Randall P. White

Why predictable? I’ve studied, observed, and written much about ambiguity and uncertainty. In my book, Relax, It’s Only Uncertainty, I frame uncertainty as an opportunity for new ideas, bold action, and innovation. People who manage uncertainty with less anxiety and[...]

ambiguity natives - zoomers are used to uncertainty

Ambiguity natives – are we thinking of the best ways to tap the new leadership potential?

They know all about ambiguity and uncertainty. My colleague Dr. Jeremy Ghez wrote, “Don’t bore them with talk about VUCA. They’ve lived in a VUCA world where change is constant and fast.” Gen Z’s entire world experience has been nothing[...]

Uncertainty leaders and the possibilities of “cautiously optimistic”

I predict we’ll be hearing the phrase “cautiously optimistic” a lot now. The New York Times tells us “The Economy is (Almost) Back. It Will Look Different Than It Used To.” The parenthetical “almost” sticks out as a hedge on[...]

Helpful insights on the opportunity of uncertainty

Writer and author Maggie Jackson offers a refreshing look at new research on ambiguity and uncertainty in her article for the Boston Globe, "The Gift of Being Unsure What to Do."[...]

Eight behaviors to help you master uncertainty

Master uncertainty? Uncertainty in life and work can derail a career. Or it can be an opportunity to lead. Here are eight enabling behaviors to help.[...]

relax-its-only-uncertainty-book-cover-image

If you’re a leader right now, here’s your handbook

Late last summer when my team began the work to bring Relax, It’s Only Uncertainty into the digital age, we could not know how much the world would change in just a few short months. I hope that you and your families[...]

Overcoming our natural aversion to change

Writer Michael Toebe asked Randy about resistance to learning. Read the article “Answers Behind the Resistance to Learning” here. This is an especially timely subject, as we all face increasing uncertainty, that is evolving with every news cycle. Toebe does[...]

Detail from The Tempest, an illustration by Arthur Rackham

Learning your way through a tempest

It’s better to continue to sail through a violent storm than to turn back. If you head back, you’ll lose any progress you made getting through the storm. Depending on the direction the storm is moving you’ll be racing to[...]

Architects of Change – topically edgy, ultimately inspiring

I’m recommending a new book, Architects of Change: Designing Strategies for a Turbulent Business Environment, by Dr. Jeremy Ghez. But first, some disclosure is in order. For decades now I’ve been studying the effects of ambiguity and uncertainty on leadership.[...]

Uncertainty is good for learning. Are you good with uncertainty?

A Yale University study last month says we learn when uncertain. “We only learn when there is uncertainty, and that is a good thing,” said Daeyeol Lee, Yale’s Dorys McConnell Duberg Professor of Neuroscience and professor of psychology and psychiatry.[...]