Leading & Leaning into Ambiguity

Ambiguity is an asset.

It is the white space in which the future is written. It’s the fuel that lights up founders and drives innovation.

Ambiguity is a lack of clarity about how to interpret something; a difficulty understanding exactly what the situation is or will be; it’s the unknown unknowns.

What do you see, and know about, the internal and external factors that are rapidly changing around you (i.e., technological, commercial, consumer trends, social, or political).

Your ability to embrace ambiguity and lean into the chaos it creates, is a game-changer or game over.

Here are 5 skills of leaders who lean into and leverage ambiguity.

Have a Zoom In, Zoom Out Function

They know how to balance different vantage points.

They know when to zoom in, bringing the details into sharp focus. They focus on current realities, both opportunities and challenges. What is known.

And, when to zoom out. Look at the big picture. They examine available information in terms of the demands of the future, see how various internal and external factors could play out for their business, and consider the potential outcomes of different decisions.

By finding a balance, great leaders have a contextual framework in which to make decisions. They understand the immediate situation within the larger context while identifying current constraints and opportunities for change. When there is balance, great leaders are focused on the right priorities for long-term success.

Slice & Dice

Great leaders can discern the known from the unknown. Sounds simple. Yet, it’s discerning what is fact vs. conjecture; what is observed vs. what is inferred. Our beliefs can influence what we infer from a set of facts and the opinions that inform our judgements.

Annie Duke, the author of Thinking in Bets, says “[t]here is no sin in finding out there is evidence that contradicts what we believe. The only sin is not using that evidence as objectively as possible to refine that belief going forward.”

Pack Double AA Batteries

Agility and adaptability. Great leaders appreciate that navigating ambiguity means staying fluid, releasing rigid mindsets and beliefs, and letting go of the status quo. They are flexible, lifelong learners, and change agents.

They eagerly seek out diverse perspectives, support and encourage productive interactions and cross-functional thinking, and integrate these perspectives strategically.

They seek to expand their zone of awareness but staying curious, asking questions, always listening. They keep their finger on the pulse internally and externally.

Want to throw out the status quo? Someone once suggested that leaders ask themselves “what would my successor do differently? Better?” Maybe it’s that extra nudge of “a successor” if you don’t stay sharp!!

Love to Dance

They can pivot and pirouette with the best of them. They are all about change when it’s needed.

Rather than staying the course when a strategy isn’t working, adding to the sunk costs, they learn to let go. Their ego doesn’t drive delusion.

As all successful founders know, it’s about experimenting, learning, pivoting, and iterating. Taking your product or service to an emerging market? You will adjust your plan of action as new information and relevant insights arise.

“A good leader must learn to endure chaos. Sometimes the right answer doesn’t appear for a while.” — Bill Weldon, Former CEO & Chairman of Johnson & Johnson.

Grab the Magic 8 Ball

Finally, in the face of ambiguity there are no right or perfect answers. It comes down to sound judgement, aka your intuition.

Once the right information is gathered, parsed, and analyzed, the right mix of perspectives considered, you decide based on what your gut tells you (and remember, you can always pivot — decisions are not as irreversible as we think).

“A good leader must learn to endure chaos. Sometimes the right answer doesn’t appear for a while.” — Bill Weldon, Former CEO & Chairman of Johnson & Johnson.

Grab the Magic 8 Ball

Finally, in the face of ambiguity there are no right or perfect answers. It comes down to sound judgement, aka your intuition.

Once the right information is gathered, parsed, and analyzed, the right mix of perspectives considered, you decide based on what your gut tells you (and remember, you can always pivot — decisions are not as irreversible as we think).