Leading in Uncertainty: Strategies for Navigating Ambiguity

When ChatGPT exploded onto the scene last year, nearly all businesses with a social media presence were inundated with ways to use it to grow. There were courses, gurus, workbooks, and endless tutorials. There still are. 

The ChatGPT phenomenon is just one display of how rapidly technology and our overall business landscape can shift.

Fortunately, it didn’t lead to doomsday. But for many, it felt close. 

You see, as technology progresses, uncertainty increases at a faster rate

So how do you, as a small business owner and leader, wade through undefined solutions, determine what priorities to focus on, and measure your risk versus reward?

First, let’s understand ambiguity.

How To Identify Ambiguity 

To properly identify ambiguity in business, let’s consider its various definitions. 

Ambiguous situations happen when tried and true solution processes don’t work and you need innovative ideas, when you have no processes to figure out a new problem type, or when you have several solutions and don’t know which to choose.

As a leader, being uncertain in challenging situations is normal. 

The response and actions you decide to execute are what solidify your business’ longevity.

Must-Haves For Leading In Uncertainty

While your response or solution to a change or problem might be murky at first, there are a few things you should keep crystal clear within yourself and among your team at all times.

The two major ones are your values and your vision. 

Keeping your values top of mind is especially important in a team environment, where colleagues or workers may have just as crucial a part to play in navigating an ambiguous situation. 

Knowing your core values will guide your team on how to move through the problem. 

Core Values clarify:

• Where the focus should be, 

• What behaviours should shine through, and 

• In what areas people should be held accountable.

Meanwhile, your Business Vision influences:

• Your selection of a strategy, 

• Your chosen actions, ensuring they align with short or long-term goals, and 

• Expectations, keeping your team performance aligned with overarching objectives. 

With both your core values and your vision in place, you can address issues based on what truly matters to you and your business. 

Remember, success is different for different people. Even in business, there can be several right answers. 

Go deeper into how you can communicate your core values in my blog post here so both you and your team can adapt to unexpected changes.

More Tips For Navigating Through Ambiguity

As an experienced leader, core values and vision stand out to me as the main ways to lead through uncertainty. However, there are a few other key skills you can develop to not just be comfortable with ambiguity but to embrace it. 

Culture — As a leader, are you able to notice the impact uncertainty has on your team, and still empower them to make valuable contributions? Avoid micro-management, be willing to change, and understand that both you and your team may make mistakes — and that’s okay!

Interpersonal Skills and Creativity —The ability to communicate and relate to all parties relevant to your business, both internal and external, will be a huge push to successful navigation.

Confidence and Stress Management — You learn to trust yourself and improve your confidence when you ambitiously strengthen those muscles tested during uncertain times. You also learn more about yourself, what stresses you, and how to better manage your triggers. 

Refine Your Ability To Manage Uncertainty

Leading in uncertainty is invaluable, but what about gaining boss-level time management skills, and defeating the dreaded yet ever-emerging head of imposter syndrome? 

How do you stay on top of both to give yourself the flexible, composed, and self-assured lifestyle you desire and deserve? 

By signing up for my FREE webinar, Vision To Reality: Get Unstuck and Lead Your Biz to Success! 

We go LIVE on February 27th at 12 PM EST. 

Join us for door prizes as well as several bonuses! Sign up now. 

Thank you so much for reading. if you enjoyed reading this post, please consider joining my email list and stay up-to-date with my services, programs and free resources to empower you to lead - regardless of your experience.

Janic 💜

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