Uncertainty is Your New Opportunity

Recently the terms ambiguity and uncertainty are popping up a lot. The geopolitical situation is giving us one surprise after another; trade wars and armed conflicts don't seem to stop.

We have been talking about a VUCA world for over a decade. The world is not only complex, it's ever changing in an unpredictable way. And the speed of change and the uncertainties are only raising faster.

IMD calls this, we are going NUTS. There are so much Novelty, new developments that are unheard of. We face a lot of Uncertainty, where even science can't give us clear answers. Emerging technologies that require Transformations. And the eminent insecurity leads to Survival-first attitudes. Challenges are definitely huge and these can lead to feelings of stress, being overwhelmed, and lost in the unknowns.

When we look at these feelings, they come from a focus on ourself: "I want to reach my goals in my way; this uncertainty is blocking my path"; "this geopolitical situation is slashing our profits". We then start to blame and fight against other people, the situation, etc.

When we shift our mind and look at what is driving the other actors, we can nourish more understanding. We can obtain more knowledge which is then reducing the uncertainty. Instead of collusion, we can approach the other people and actors in our ecosystem in a cooperative way, seeing others as human beings with compassion. How can we create more impact for these people and for the entire ecosystem? This shift in mind is building a readiness for change.

When we approach our counterparts (friends, neighbours, employees, customers, suppliers, etc) on the same eye level, we can establish better relationships. This will further improve the reciprocal understanding of our wants, needs and experiences. We learn more, we know more. With that curiosity we can inquire more about the people and organisations around us. Continue to reduce ambiguity and uncertainty.

Embracing an impact-driven mindset empowers you to take initiative, shifting from reactivity to proactive influence. You should focus on what you can control, striving to exert positive influence and champion what you believe is right. This is self-accountability: the courage to stand by your convictions, take ownership of your actions, learn from your mistakes, and proactively shape your future. While aiming at long-term benefits across the entire ecosystem, you will be able to detect and seize new opportunities faster. This is the essence of becoming an entrepreneur.

Let's start to look at the opportunities in the world of ambiguity and uncertainty. Yes, the world seems to be nuts; that doesn't mean we have to go crazy, we have to succumb to stress and anxiety. These points are the antidote to ambiguity and uncertainty. We can move away from seeing ourselves (individual or organisation) as a victim and being reactive. Instead, we take responsibility and ownership. We can move forward with proactiveness and positivity towards the calmer areas of the storm and towards a save place of strength and compassion.