5 Keys to Leadership in a VUCA World

Today’s world is the most volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous world we have ever known. Change is happening fast and leaders need to build trust for organizations to thrive.

Here are 5 actionable tips for building trust to lead well!

1) Remain calm.

While the world is volatile with change happening at lightening speed, leaders need to be the calm in the storm. Calm leaders are capable of making smart choices and portray an image of being in control.

When I was young and my father drove our family through a storm, we were not fearful. My father’s calm set the tone. He would control the car, and we would be safe.

2) Trust your team.

In uncertain times, great leaders will focus team members on factors that they can control.

Financial guru Dave Ramsey wisely advises, “Control the controllables.” One of the most uncertain times we can face is the sudden loss of a job. Dave Ramsey and his team advise people facing the unexpected loss of income to do two things. First, make a budget. Second, take care of the four walls: food, utilities, shelter, and transportation.

Once these are completed, the situation hasn’t changed, but people feel safer, more in control, and able to function again.

3) Be transparent.

When the complexity is high, it takes many people to solve the problem. Providing complete information allows people to make the best decisions.

One good decision maker is Gary Kelly, CEO of Southwest Airlines. He communicates regularly with employees, customers, and stakeholders in various ways. In his “Ask Gary” video segments, he is transparent about the good, the bad, and the plan.

He is transparent about the “scary” times that face the airlines and our country. He is transparent about not knowing how long it will last. He also shares the good news of what the airline is doing to help the country and customers. And he is transparent about actions the company is taking.

Because he is transparent, answering questions honestly, employees and other stakeholders put their trust in his leadership.

4) Provide a clear vision.

When situational ambiguity is high, the vision of the leaders must be crystal clear.

Early messages about steps needed to combat the spread of the virus were unclear. Some reports said that people shouldn’t hold gatherings for more than 100 people, others said 50 people, and still others said 10. Then came the crystal clear message:

“Stay Home. Save Lives.”

Once this point was clear, restaurants began closing dining rooms even before it was required. Any business that could have employees working from home did. And people moved from gatherings in homes to video conferencing.

Once the vision was clear, people worldwide have shown trust in leadership and followed guidelines.

5) Show genuine compassion.

“Nobody cares how much you know, until they know how much you care,” advised Theodore Roosevelt.

As every parent becomes a homeschool teacher, they are needing to put into place techniques to lead their home in ways that they haven’t before. Great teachers spend lots of time at the beginning of the school year building relationships. Once the trust is built, students are willing to go the extra mile for teachers who love them.

Even in this crazy VUCA world, leaders are building trust, and we believe them when they tell us as Queen Elizabeth did, “Better days will return.”