Managing in Uncertainty
It’s clear to all of us that we are living in uncertainty. We are settling into an indefinite period of working from home, our children are without the structure of their classroom, and we worry daily whether our aging parents will become ill. Our favorite businesses may be closed, and the projects we had underway have a dubious future.
Risk and uncertainty increase during a crisis because so much is unclear and volatile. Uncertainty triggers a threat response in the brain, making it difficult to focus and be productive.
A human need is to remain productive, effective and efficient even in high pressure situations. So its natural that when routines are torn apart, projects put on hold, and timelines completely uncertain that we feel at odds with ourselves and each other. Individuals who are skilled at managing uncertainty and ambiguity do the following:
They create clarity, focusing on what is known rather than what is unknown allowing recommendations to emerge with limited information.
They continue to think critically and problem solve even under high stress and uncertainty.
They engage others in discussions about possibilities, opportunities, and learning in the moment.
They create an atmosphere of calm and inquiry that enables others to do the same.
Below are some suggestions on strategies for managing through uncertainty.
Let go of sureness. In chaos, our immediate reaction is to gain clarity. Suspend that tendency. Work with what you know. Find opportunity in what is not clear. Extend grace and patience to others who are struggling. Work with the information you have rather than the information you wish you had.
Ask: how do I think about this differently? We get stuck in our patterns and routines. When these are interrupted, we feel off balance. How can you think about this situation differently? What possibilities does it hold? Is there a new skill you can learn? Can you reconnect with friends whom you’ve lost touch with recently? What are you learning during this time of lack of control? What inventions or process improvements come to mind?
Work with the information you have. We all wish for more clarity – one more data point, one more analysis, but sometimes its just not possible. Look at the information you have, in front of you, today. What does it say? This is a great time to use your intuition. What does your past experience tell you to do? What’s the worst thing that can happen given the limited information you have? Take action and then live with the decision.
Check your perspective with others. We often think we need to go through hardship alone. What are others saying? How are they coping? Is there someone available to check your point of view? You will find you aren’t alone. Take time to check in with others on how they are managing, gain insight from their perspective.
We don’t know how long this will last, but we don’t have to be frozen by the uncertainty. Start with gratitude and then move to problem solving. You are often more capable than you give yourself credit for.