Disruption - Leading in a VUCA world

Another exciting week and chapter for the books!

Monday was all about diving into design elements and updating an existing course to reflect some recent operational and organizational changes. Plus, we got everything prepped for Tuesday morning's session.

Lately, we've been focusing heavily on people and culture, having numerous enriching conversations about change and leadership over the past two weeks. On Tuesday, my fantastic colleague and I had an inspiring discussion with our cyber security leadership team about leading in a VUCA world. The depth and maturity of the discussions were phenomenal, and we're excited about where this journey will take us next.

VUCA stands for Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity. Originally coined by the U.S. Army War College in the late 1980s, it describes the challenging conditions of the post-Cold War world. In business, VUCA highlights the need for adaptive and strategic leadership to navigate rapidly changing and unpredictable environments. Embracing VUCA helps organizations stay resilient and innovative amidst constant change.

Source: Prof. Dr. Ulrich Lenz, University of Applied Management – "Over 50% of Fortune 500 companies from the year 2000 no longer exist. Why? They didn’t innovate and adapt their business models and operations to an ever-changing business world."

We had a great discussion on culture, inspired by a quote from Dominic Barton, Managing Director of McKinsey & Co., who said in the Wall Street Journal, "What matters most to a company over time: strategy or culture?" This sentiment is echoed by leadership guru Tom Peters.

In his book?Culture and Leadership, Edgar Schein defines organizational culture as "a pattern of shared basic assumptions that the group learned... that has worked well enough to be considered valid and therefore, to be taught to new members as the correct way to perceive, think, and feel," or simply, "the way we do things around here."

We watched a video featuring Peter Drucker's famous quote, "Culture eats strategy for breakfast." Our discussion highlighted that both strategy and culture are essential, and we need to define their roles within our organization.

We also viewed an internal vision and values video outlining our goals from now until 2030. This morning, there was a new video featuring the commissioner’s message about our objectives for 2024/25. It was an inspiring video that left us thinking about how to encourage leaders to discuss these messages with their teams. We need to help them understand the indirect impact their work has on our high-level projects and how they support the broader organization.

It was a fantastic session. As leaders, we also need to rethink VUCA, not just as Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity, but as Vision, Understanding, Clarity, and Agility. Vision involves taking action to drive change and painting a picture of the future. Understanding our people helps us gain a broader perspective. Clarity gives us the flexibility to be creative while maintaining a clear focus. Agility allows for innovative decision-making.

I've been applying these new VUCA concepts throughout the week, even while handling some mundane but important tasks—especially one that wasn't clearly communicated.

Here are a few tips on leading in a VUCA world:

1. Embrace Continuous Learning and Adaptability: In a VUCA world, change is constant and often unpredictable. As a leader, fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptability within your team is crucial. Encourage team members to stay curious, seek out new knowledge, and be open to changing their approach based on new information. This not only keeps the team agile but also helps them innovate and respond effectively to challenges.
2. Communicate with Clarity and Empathy: Effective communication is vital in a VUCA environment. Ensure that your vision and goals are clearly articulated and understood by everyone in the organization. At the same time, practice empathetic communication by actively listening to your team’s concerns and providing support. This builds trust and psychological safety, allowing team members to feel confident in sharing ideas and taking calculated risks.
3. Foster Collaboration and Inclusivity: In a VUCA world, leveraging the diverse perspectives and skills of your team is essential. Encourage a collaborative environment where team members feel valued and included. Facilitate open discussions and brainstorming sessions, ensuring everyone has a voice. By promoting inclusivity and teamwork, you can tap into collective intelligence, which enhances problem-solving and drives innovation.

By focusing on continuous learning and clear, empathetic communication, you can better navigate the complexities of a VUCA world and lead your team to success.

Do you have any tips on leading in a VUCA world? Share your thoughts below!