How to deal with ambiguity (In real life) & a Brand new slam-dunk answer to this Interview question!

If you’re someone who likes to know exactly what to do and you want to have step-by-step instructions to know you’re doing it “right” then don’t become an entrepreneur.?

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Because you never get that.

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And in many jobs, you don’t get that either.

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Now there are some positions where this exists.?

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For example, there are some industries and organizations where there are policies and procedures for everything and your job is to follow them and execute them, & that might be a great fit for some people.?

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But in most cases, there isn’t this available.?

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And in some areas of life, we will all be dealing with some kind of ambiguity at some point.?

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I personally don’t have a problem with ambiguity now because I am used to dealing with it daily AND because I am clear on how I deal with it.?

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Let me explain:?

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I know there are always going to be some risks involved when dealing with ambiguous instructions or goals because we’re dealing with other people and we can’t read minds.?

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And if we can’t ask questions and get clear answers for everything we need to know, then we will have to take some educated guesses!?

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There’s just no way around that.?

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And that’s what people like the LEAST.?

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I worked for a wealthy family as a Personal Assistant and the guy I worked for was never specific with what he was asking for.?

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I was dealing with much ambiguity and it wasn’t because he was a toxic boss or the company was toxic or didn’t have their sh*t figured out, it was just that they weren’t used to laying things out clearly step by step, they just wanted someone to do the thinking for them and “take care of things”.?

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(Now maybe that's not the right fit for everyone and maybe not for you reading this)...?

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Some people REALLY need and work best in a structured environment and that's ok.?

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You can find that, that suits you.?

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This is good to know about yourself…?

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I would try to ask some questions, but when he would be gone for the day and just send an email saying he wanted something done by the end of day and he was offline after that…?

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I had to make some decisions that may turn out to be wrong later.?

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Still, essentially my process for dealing with ambiguity was:?

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? Get the info they gave (the ambiguous info) ?

? Put together a plan of how I think it would be best approached (Guessing and thinking of efficiencies and thinking of it as best I could Myself) ?

?Try to ask questions and get clarity as much as possible.

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Then if it wasn't possible, (no one around to answer the questions) I'd go and make some decisions without them because the task still had to be done, and sometimes I'd risk it not being 100% what they wanted.

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Accept that ambiguity means that I may not get it 100% how they assumed it would be.

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Be prepared to learn how they think and what they wanted for next time.?

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I mean let’s take a simple example of ordering lunch.

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“Hey can you please get us lunch in here, there’s 12 of us, We’re going to be in the meeting all day please don’t disturb us just let us know when lunch is here.”?

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I write back with a bunch of questions.?

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?? Do any of the guests have dietary restrictions or food allergies (e.g., vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, nut allergies)?

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?? Are there any specific preferences (e.g., preferences for healthy, spicy, or comfort food)?

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?? Is there a particular type of cuisine that everyone would prefer (e.g., Italian, Mexican, Asian, etc.)?

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?? Would you prefer individual meals (like boxed lunches) or shared platters (family-style or buffet)?

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?? Do you want hot meals, cold meals (e.g., sandwiches, salads), or a mix of both?

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?? Is there a specific budget per person or overall that I should keep in mind?

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?? Should beverages be included? If so, any specific preferences for drinks (e.g., soda, water, coffee, juice)?

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?? Is there a preferred time for the lunch to be delivered or ready?

I get radio silence back and lunch time is approaching.

So what do I do??

So the option is either Don't order anything, and say “Well I didn’t get the answer to the questions, so I couldn’t order, sorry!”

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Or you make best guesses and risk it not being perfect! Which it probably can’t be when you don’t have each person’s flavor preferences!?

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So here’s how you can think through it:?

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I looked up quick lunch places with great reviews.?

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I call one of them and I ask if they can whip up a quick lunch for 12 people asap.?

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I ask them what their most popular option is and what they recommend.?

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Come up with a game plan and place the order.?

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There I’ve completed the task and I have NO idea if it’s “right” or if it will be well received.?

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If someone complained later that they didn’t like Sandwiches or salads.?

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Sorry dude!?

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Didn’t have that info!?

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I mean let me know what you want then right? I’m happy to get it.?

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So I recommend a story like this for an answer, and this is what I would tell in my interviews.?

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I’d say that I understand people don’t always have the time to give specific instructions they just want something done and I can do that, I may not get it perfect but I’m willing to work and learn from it so I can learn how they think and what they prefer so I’ll start getting it bang on each time.?

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But we can’t read minds.?

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And then after you tell them your story you can ask them - Is this what you meant by “ambiguity?” because that term in itself can mean something different to them.

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The best thing you can do is tell them a concrete story of how you have dealt with ambiguity in the past and share it from your lense.?

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For example I’d share my lunch story.

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Then you can ASK THEM if that is what they meant, or if they were talking about something else when they asked this question!?

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Remember it’s about getting on the same page as them and you can ASK if that’s what page they were on.

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I once had to "Redecorate" this guy’s living room.?

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WITH NO direction.

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I asked him questions and showed him samples when I could, I got an idea of what he liked and he was pleased with the result.?

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But the ambiguous task started out as “Please redecorate my living room”?

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That was it.?

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That was the whole directive.?

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But who knows what they even mean??

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Do they mean an ambiguous task??

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An ambiguous person?

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Are they wondering how you approach solving problems when the details are unclear or when there’s no single right answer?

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Or are they referring to whether you can adjust to changing uncertain conditions and make good judgment calls??

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Or how do you make decisions when you don’t have all the info or when there is a high-stakes consequence?

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Or Can you stay calm and focused without being paralyzed by indecision?

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They could also be wondering how you clarify uncertainties—do you ask questions, seek input, or clarify expectations when things are vague?

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The best way to get on the same page is to tell your story of how YOU interpret “ambiguity” and then ASK them if that’s what they meant or if they were referring to something else.?

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I am running my next 3 day intensive training coming up.??

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Which is essentially the first Module of my Paid program for FREE:?

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If you have trust issues with free training, being big sales pitches, I don’t blame you, and this will change your view I’m confident in that!

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Sign up HERE.?

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I’ll be sharing about the A-Z To landing a six-figure job you love And I bring all of my 8 years of experience to these 3 day intensive series:?

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I also bring my background of running a six-figure business and being someone who has landed multiple offers and started wroking with my clients through the power of personal stories as well as other methods I share in the series.?

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You will get to experience all of that first hand on the training and start making changes right away in your own mind that will lead to a new kind of success than you’re used to.?

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To sign up for that find the link below and get signed up.?

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My training are very interactive so I’ll be looking to see your name there in the chat and get to know you personally.?

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I look forward to seeing you there.?

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Sign up HERE.?

-Natalie

I’m weeks away from my next 3 day series (Which is the free First module of my career program) Join to get your seat HERE.