Embracing UNCERTAINTY
We know that Business-as-usual does not work anymore. So, what can we do about it?
In a world where Disruption has become normal, how do we prepare for it?
How do we prepare to be DISRUPTED?
By building dynamic systems that don’t avoid uncertainty but actually expect them and are prepared for them.
The key is in not putting our head down and waiting for the turbulence to pass, but instead expecting the turbulence, treating it as normal and developing the necessary skills so that we can forge ahead despite the turbulence.
Corporate systems and processes are usually built around:
Analyzing…
Predicting…
Planning…
Controlling…
Such systems worked very well in stable times, like navigating a big ship in good weather.
In today’s environment, organizations are like rafts in white water.
The systems and skills we need to navigate are completely different.
Using old Systems and Skills we will not be able to keep our head above water, let alone reaching our destination.
The first thing we need to get rid of is the sense of control.
We need to accept that we cannot predict the future at all.
Therefore, we cannot plan for it.
Instead, we learn the skills to respond quickly to any change that happens, knowing fully well that change will happen.
What we need is the resilience to remain undisturbed by change.
And the agility to adapt and respond quickly to change.
Here are some principles that will help us build dynamic systems and be more prepared to deal with disruptions:
- Zooming out – Traditional organization approach always looked to narrow down to the root cause of any problem. But today it is more important to look at the bigger picture and understand any challenge based on the wider perspective.
- Get deeper insights – Most businesses listen to the powerful voices of their customers and investors. But these mostly provide common short-term opinions. But to build dynamic systems we need to keep the big long-term goals in mind and listen to the whole system, including communities who don’t have a voice.
- No silver bullet – Traditionally, executives simplify solutions and look for actions that will have the greatest impact. But now, instead of building one strong solution with the greatest impact, it is important to build a portfolio of strategies.
- Embrace contradictions – As corporate environments become more and more chaotic, executives are facing contradictory choices every day. Should you grow or downsize? Should you compete or partner? Should you spend on research or marketing? Sometimes it may be a matter of choosing between two opposing positions. Sometimes it may be about innovating so that we can do both. Always, it is about keeping an open mind and embracing paradoxes.
Meanwhile, if you would like to know more about how ConvergeHub can help you build systems that help your organization get ready for future disruptions without increasing the cost,talk to us.
Or, if you would like to check it out yourself, go ahead and create a free ConvergeHub account here.