The Audacity to Adapt to a Complex World

Welcome to The Audacity, a brief for executives who have the audacity to show up powerfully for themselves and transform what’s possible for their lives.? In each edition, I share a leadership challenge I'm hearing and a powerful practice and resource to begin working through it.??

This brief provides a guided approach to achieving greater personal alignment through relatable stories from my executive clients - your peers.?

Let’s go…

?? What I'm hearing is…?

“There was a time when I could work my way out of overwhelm.? I was able to clear immediate tasks and create the space to think.? But lately that hasn't been working.”??

Listen, 2023 has already included widespread layoffs, bank collapses, a 1-in-1000 year flood in Florida, shooting of yet another unarmed Black boy, countries shifting away from US currency, a new era for artificial intelligence and the dangerous passage of Don't Say Gay legislation to name a few.??

To say we are holding a lot is… an understatement.?

So, it isn’t surprising that the tools that once helped us manage life are no longer providing the support we need. Take a moment and think about it. If you notice that you’re not coping well, know you’re in good company. Our tools weren’t made for these times.? We're going to need a different approach to manage? everything, everywhere all at once.

??We are living in an increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) world.?

• Volatility - Difficulty predicting the future of work, the economy and its impact on our families?
• Uncertainty - Emerging technology upending industries and careers?
• Complexity - Navigating 24-hour news cycles, global events, new social and professional norms?
• Ambiguity - The long-term health impact of living through a global pandemic?

Given this context, what can we do? ?

??Reach for a different type of tool… a belief.??

One of my core beliefs is that I don’t need to have the answers to tomorrow's challenges today. Instead, I trust myself to figure out what to do as life unfolds.

It’s a simple yet profound belief that helps me to be calm as circumstances shift and reminds me of my agency in navigating changes as they come.? Which belief could you turn to (or shift) that would create more ease in our complex world????

???? ♀?What I’m practicing now…

Metacognition - thinking about my thinking. I’m paying attention to how I solve problems so I can get better at solving them.??

Let me explain. Normally, I would jump straight into preparing a workshop presentation by reviewing approaches from previous decks.? But thinking about my thinking helps me to be more expansive and counter my “get it done now” inclination.?

From that more expansive space, I remember that there are additional technologies I can leverage (old and new) like Canva or beautiful.ai and important insights I’ve been hearing from my clients and colleagues that I want to incorporate.? This reflection makes the creative process more fun and provides my clients with a richer experience.?

Essentially, metacognition is a way for us to hack our habits.? As we identify how we think and learn best we can make smarter choices and handle situations with more ease.?

Pro Tip:? Slowing down allows us to think about our thinking

?? What is helping…

Here are three ways to manage and adapt in a VUCA environment:

1. Staying flexible and being decisive: Flexibility brings ease and making timely decisions helps avoid analysis paralysis. Continue advancing - course correcting as needed.
2. Building a network of relationships: Connect with friends and colleagues to maintain thought partnership and continue learning.??
3. Resting and breaking down complexity: Create the conditions for a nervous system reset and tackle problems step-by-step.

Exhale into one of these practices and see how it works for you.

Thank you for taking the time to read! Make sure to subscribe at the top of this page.? In the comments, let me know, do you have the AUDACITY to adapt to a complex world?