#3–Ambiguity: Paradox or Hypocrisy?

In the next three posts, I’d like to introduce what I’ve identified as the “3 Greatest Barriers to Partnership”. Each of these three barriers also applies to learning and communication… which are fundamental building blocks for individual stability, stable partnerships, and stability at the community level. Addressing stability at these three levels is a core principle of LEAD FROM YOUR CURRENT POSITION®.

#3 Ambiguity: Paradox or Hypocrisy?

We face ambiguity often… so often, I propose, that it is a natural condition–not a problem or challenge. After all, how do we know we know the whole truth? We know what we know… from our viewing angle and perspective. But let’s face it, we live in a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous) world where ambiguity is a natural condition. Being able to navigate in the face of ambiguity is a vital skill.

The story of the Blind Men and the Elephant illustrates how ambiguity is so prevalent… and gives us insight into the need to communicate, continuously gather information and knowledge, respect others’ perspectives, collaborate, and promote transparency.

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EMBRACE THE WOBBLE™

If we accept that chaos is the “new normal” and that “VUCA” (Volatility–Uncertainty–Complexity–Ambiguity) is a reasonable framework to recognize the nature of the conditions that we operate in, then that begs a question: “How can we best operate in this VUCA environment?” I believe that EMBRACE THE WOBBLE™ will unfold as an extraordinary solution to a stable and balanced life.

INDIVIDUAL STABILITY

Simply put, I believe INDIVIDUAL STABILITY is the most fundamental and essential requirement in life. Other people can tell you about it, demonstrate it, and even try to teach you with tips, tricks, and shortcuts. But I believe it’s an inside-out process that’s best attained through Self-Development (the first phase of LEAD FROM YOUR CURRENT POSITION®).

In order to be highly effective… in fact, EXTRAORDINARY, we must seek to master INDIVIDUAL STABILITY. Yes, it’s a lifelong journey. But, like learning to fly a helicopter, your first major task is to HOVER… to firmly establish yourself on the path to master INDIVIDUAL (aircraft) STABILITY.

One of the first magical things that occur when you find that “hover button” as a helicopter pilot is that you, in essence, EMBRACE THE WOBBLE™. I say “in essence” because I didn’t develop the phrase or fully understand why we must EMBRACE THE WOBBLE™ until many years later (through flying and life lessons). We all lost and rediscovered the hover button repeatedly for a brief period… and then, like riding a bike, balance and stability just seemed to happen. It just showed up consistently without having to even think about it. However, like most things in life, the more we try to force it to happen the more difficult it is to achieve.

Again, like flying a helicopter, flying formation is very difficult (impossible) without INDIVIDUAL STABILITY. But we don’t wait until we achieve perfection in individual flight before we move on to formation flight. We must attain a certain degree of proficiency (while still pursuing mastery in individual flight) before we take on formation flight. So it is in life with PARTNERSHIP. We must also attain a certain degree of proficiency (while still pursuing mastery in INDIVIDUAL STABILITY) before we take on PARTNERSHIP.

And then the process repeats itself as we move from formation flight to operational flight (numerous formations and types of aircraft operating in the same battlespace). So it is in life with moving from STABLE PARTNERSHIP to STABLE COMMUNITY. This is the essence of LEAD FROM YOUR CURRENT POSITION®… the process of understanding and mastering the attainment of INDIVIDUAL STABILITY, STABLE PARTNERSHIP, to STABLE COMMUNITY (where true SERVICE occurs).

LEAD FROM YOUR CURRENT POSITION®

The three major components of LEAD FROM YOUR CURRENT POSITION® are:

  • Self-Development: Individual Stability; Mastery; Be-Know-Do; Be-Do-Have; Virtues Over Values; and Flow.
  • Partnership: Stable Partnership; Collaboration; Power of the Network; Flow.
  • Service: Stable Community; Counterpart Leadership™.

EVERYONE HAS THE POWER TO ACHIEVE GREATNESS

You see, I believe that everyone has the power to achieve greatness and that the world is calling out for our genius. Each of us… no one left out!

But life doesn’t always provide straightforward choices and the path to success isn’t always clear. This is why I stress the VUCA environment. Amidst the paradoxes and hypocrisy of life, we experience challenges that consistently test our will and our determination. That is until we realize that they aren’t really challenges, but simply the “conditions” of life.

Perhaps you’re feeling that there must be a better way.

VUCA

One of the best phrases to encompass the unstable conditions of the world around us is VUCA. VUCA is an acronym used to describe or reflect on the Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity of general conditions in the world… the chaotic “new normal.” Common usage of the term VUCA began in the 1990s in military strategic planning and has been subsequently used in a wide range of situations. The acronym stands for:

  • V = Volatility. The nature, speed, volume, and magnitude of change.
  • U = Uncertainty. The lack of predictability and the prospects for surprise.
  • C = Complexity. The confounding of issues and the chaos and confusion that surround any environment.
  • A = Ambiguity. The “fog of war”, haziness of reality, the potential for misreads, and the mixed meanings of conditions.

VUCA PRIME

As VUCA became a universally recognized and used concept, folks began to imagine how to counter it. I’ve already shared one way to counter the VUCA environment… VUCA PRIME (first introduced by Bob Johansen, a distinguished fellow at the Institute for the Future). It’s a method to counter each of the elements of VUCA with a counterpart. I just don’t find the four counterpart methods, matching the acronym VUCA to be complete enough. VUCA PRIME substitutes VISION–UNDERSTANDING–CLARITY–AGILITY over Volatile–Uncertain–Complex–Ambiguous. I’m interested in your thoughts on whether VUCA PRIME adequately provides a solution to mitigate the conditions of VUCA.

  • VISION over Volatility: Begin with the end in mind (Stephen Covey’s HABIT #2). View today from the perspective of the desired future and have a clear intent.
  • UNDERSTANDING over Uncertainty: Seek first to understand, then be understood (Stephen Covey’s HABIT #5). The deliberate ability to “stop, look, and listen.”
  • CLARITY over Complexity: It’s about thorough and rapid problem-solving and decision-making.
  • AGILITY over Ambiguity: Try hard, fail fast, and learn. Maximize the Power of the Network in every way possible.

EMBRACE THE WOBBLE™

VUCA PRIME is an effective tool and I’d like to introduce EMBRACE THE WOBBLE™ as my solution to “How can we best operate in this VUCA environment?” EMBRACE THE WOBBLE™ is a phrase that encompasses several key components to help you on your path to LEAD FROM YOUR CURRENT POSITION®.

Consider…

STABILITYMASTERYSIMPLICITYCLARITY

Over

Volatility—Uncertainty—Complexity—Ambiguity

  • STABILITY over Volatility: the process of understanding and mastering the attainment of INDIVIDUAL STABILITY, STABLE PARTNERSHIP, to STABLE COMMUNITY (where true SERVICE occurs).
  • MASTERY over Uncertainty: Take the journey to mastery and avoid being seduced by the siren song of a consumerist, materialistic, quick-fix society that only brings the illusion of accomplishment and the shadow of achievement.
  • SIMPLICITY over Complexity: The KISS Principle (Keep It Simple Stupid).
  • CLARITY over Ambiguity: Clarity is freedom from indistinctness or ambiguity.

I NEED YOUR ASSISTANCE

As the founder of LEAD FROM YOUR CURRENT POSITION®, I’m seeking to foster innovative and agile thinking through purposeful leadership – leadership that energizes and mobilizes individuals “to contribute to environments where others flourish” (my definition of LEADERSHIP). And I need your assistance and participation if we are to make progress in this inquiry on what it means to LEAD FROM YOUR CURRENT POSITION®.

I’m passionate about helping individuals, groups, and communities refine the skill sets necessary to develop an extraordinary leadership culture.

I also invite you to explore and participate on my site to see how we can assist each other connect the dots in achieving success.

DISCUSSION QUESTION: What are your thoughts about EMBRACE THE WOBBLE™ (STABILITY—MASTERY—SIMPLICITY—CLARITY) as my solution to “How can we best operate in this VUCA environment?”

If you enjoyed this post, please consider sharing it with your friends, and be sure to subscribe to the LEAD FROM YOUR CURRENT POSITION® email list!

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VUCA Prime

If we accept that chaos is the “new normal” and that “VUCA” is a reasonable framework to recognize the nature of the conditions that we operate in, then that begs a question: “How can we best operate in this environment?” How can we flourish in a VUCA world? Some suggest that the best response to VUCA is VUCA PRIME (first introduced by Bob Johansen, a distinguished fellow at the Institute for the Future). It is a method to counter each of the elements of VUCA with a specific counterpart.

Consider this unique approach.

Every organization must be prepared to abandon everything it does to survive in the future.” Peter Drucker

VISIONUNDERSTANDINGCLARITYAGILITY

over

Volatility–Uncertainty–Complexity–Ambiguity

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VUCA

We are constantly reminded just how fast-paced life is… and that the rapidity of life and change will only increase. Additionally, that chaos is the “new normal.” Does a simple framework to recognize the nature of the conditions that we operate in exist? Can it help us better cope with, or even thrive in, these conditions. Well, the one that I use is “VUCA”.

VUCA is an acronym used to describe or reflect on the volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity of general conditions in the world… the chaotic “new normal.” Common usage of the term VUCA began in the 1990s in military strategic planning and has been subsequently used in a wide range of situations.

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The LFYCP® One-Week Challenge

I want to provide you with a basic framework to help you refocus and achieve extraordinary daily results. I call this framework: “The Top 4 Questions You Should Ask Yourself Every Day to LEAD FROM YOUR CURRENT POSITION®”. The world is calling out for your genius, but the noise and clutter of your world may deafen that call.

Try answering these four questions every day for just one week and see what a difference it will make… and let us know what kind of results and insights you have below.

Four Questions

The four key questions you should ask yourself every day to Lead From Your Current Position® are:

  • What is my primary responsibility as a Leader?
  • What is the ONE thing I should create, cultivate, and encourage in my environment?
  • What is the ONE thing I should eliminate in my environment?
  • Are there additional questions that would give me insight into how I can lead from my current position?

Sign up for the FREE “Leader’s Guide” on my homepage if you haven’t already done so.

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YOUTH

One of the great paradoxes of life is explained in Samuel Ullman’s poem YOUTH: “Youth is not a time of life; it is a state of mind”

Failing to see the paradox that “youth” has another dimension other than time, can cause us to look outward for something that is inside all of us. Many folks live a life unsatisfied in search of the Fountain of Youth and other external solutions.

Instead, consider that:

It is a matter of the will, a quality of the imagination, a vigor of the emotions; it is the freshness of the deep springs of life.” Samuel Ullman

It’s no wonder that this poem was a favorite of General Douglas MacArthur. He had a framed copy on the wall behind his desk (in his Tokyo office) while serving as the Supreme Allied Commander in Japan. He often quoted the poem in his speeches and read the entire poem at his 75th Birthday Celebration.

I’ve included it here and in my Leader’s Guide (free sign-up gift). I read it often. Nothing helps me maintain focus, perspective, and courage more than this gift from Samuel Ullman. I hope it will inspire you, too.

May you always pursue your ideals!

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8 Questions You Can Use to Provide Clarity on Your Journey

There are many tips, lists, and tools to help you navigate through life. One tool that I’ve used since its introduction by Tom Peters in 1996, is a PERSONAL BRAND EQUITY EVALUATION. Tom outlines eight simple and thought-provoking questions that you can use to provide clarity on your journey.

The PERSONAL BRAND EQUITY EVALUATION is my #1 navigation tool for assessing my journey through life. I’ve used it since 1996 and update it every 90 days. I also recommend completing and reviewing a PERSONAL BRAND EQUITY EVALUATION every 90 days. Doing so will reduce the chances of stagnation and promote action, intention, clarity, and innovation in your life. It will also promote your connection to others.

A PERSONAL BRAND EQUITY EVALUATION by Tom Peters

  1. I am known for: [2-4 items].
  2. By this time next year, I plan also to be known for [1-2 more things].
  3. My current project [which is:_________] is challenging me in the following [1-3 ways].
  4. New stuff I’ve learned in the last 90 days includes [1-3 things].
  5. Important additions to my Address Book in the last 90 days include [2-4 names].
  6. My public—local/regional/national/global—“visibility program” consists of [2 things].
  7. My principal “resume enhancement activity” for the next 90 days is [1 item].
  8. My resume is discernibly different from last year’s on this date in the following [1-2 ways].

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YOURSELF TO BLAME by Mayme White Miller

The experience, education, and training I’ve had in my life continually highlighted the significance of a sense of personal responsibility. I’ve been far from perfect, but I actively attempt to counter the trap of blaming others. This is a valuable key to keep us focused on our purpose, goals and objectives, rather than the conditions of the journey.

Dr. Ben Carson continually shares this valuable key to his professional maturity. Introduced to him early in his childhood by his Mother,  she had him read this poem every time he made an excuse, whined, or complained.

This simple poem was the catalyst to his amazing life. I hope it can provide similar insights and inspiration to you.

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4 Key Lessons from “A Message to Garcia”

One of the most published articles in history, “A Message to Garcia” (by Elbert Hubbard) highlights several great challenges and lessons of life. There are four key lessons that I would like to discuss:  three of those lessons are key points from the author and the fourth is one that will assist you as you LEAD FROM YOUR CURRENT POSITION®

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