Embracing Uncertainty

Trust me when I tell you this. . . I swear I have it built into my DNA that I NEED TO KNOW THE FUTURE AND I NEED TO KNOW IT NOW!  For years, I wanted something that was incredibly predictable so that I could be fully prepared for it.  No surprises. . . .no bumps in the road.   Just clear sailing ahead, please. . .

Through a long series of personal and professional events, I have learned that this is folly.   Certainly one can prepare for the future, but to know the future is truly an oxymoron.

Strong leadership needs to be able to embrace uncertainty. . .and that in itself may seem oxymoronic:  "How can we embrace something so ambiguous - something we don't even know?"

Here's how.

We should have a strong understanding that the future will always be a combination of challenging situations and great opportunities.  Don't be so disappointed by the former that you miss the latter.

Yes, the future will inevitably change, in small or large measure, what we have so carefully pre-planned.    This allows us the opportunity to flex and expand our skills so that we have greater faith in our abilities.  This is our personal and professional evolution.

That expansion of our skills combined with that additional knowledge of life will allow us to open up new worlds of endeavors in ways we had previously considered impossible.  This is how we grow.

The future, unquestionably, holds heartbreaking moments. . .those are moments that ultimately can make us have more empathy for others and a greater understanding of how the world works.

Trusted members of our circle will leave;   new talent will arrive.   We can celebrate the achievements of those moving on;   we can revel in the differing points of view the newcomers bring.

Just as new trees on the forest floor take root in their predecessors, the future is built upon things that we already know.   We should have confidence in that firm foundation.

And. . .if things didn't change. . . that gets pretty damn boring.   

Here's what I've learned through very uncertain times.  If one has true faith in the knowledge of the past and present, then one has the courage to face the future. . .with certainty.

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My book, "Courageous Questions, Confident Leaders" is available from Amazon Kindle..