Navigate and embrace the uncertainty to go beyond the limitations?

Uncertainty and possibility are two sides to the same coin.

New research conducted by INSEAD professor Nathan Furr and entrepreneur Susannah Harmon Furr demonstrates that by learning to welcome and cope the nerve-wrecking area of uncertainty then you can reach a better outcome.

We as humans have a default tendency of being afraid of uncertainty but many of our best achievements and meaningful experiences comes from a trying time of ambiguity. Nathan and Susannah interviewed innovators and changemakers to share best practices of stepping proactively into the unknown. The new book “The Upside of Uncertainty” are the result of this work.

It's been quite fascinating to deep dive into how we can embrace uncertainty in our personal life and as well as equally in the growth development of companies.

We live in a world of possibilities where there’s constant change, constant dynamism, we need to be adapting. The changing world also brings periods of uncertainty. So how do we navigate this uncertainty?

Reframing the future

The research conducted through interviews with successful innovators and their achievements which only came after a period of uncertainty. Realizing that uncertainty and possibility are kind of two sides of the same coin. Learning to face and accepting being in uncertainty more calmly and with greater resilience will open the eyes to see the possibilities that lies ahead. The interviewed innovators and entrepreneurs all had a moment of feeling like is this going to fail? “Am I going to be able to do this”. The breaking point is getting to the moment where you shift from seeing the uncertainty only and all of a sudden you’re seeing all the possibilities.

I’ve learned that you can always make a little action to get out of your current situation and uncertainty. One small step brings you that incredible energized feeling and proves that you should not focusing on being worried about these teeny little fractured moments but look at the bigger picture.

Biggest growth comes out of crisis

The book mentions that great companies are forged in moments of crisis. The authors call it the infinity players. An infinite player is constantly playing with the boundaries, the roles, the rules, even the purpose of the game. Companies that are able to effectively reframe possibilities in the threats and market conditions that they encounter. The successful companies are those who has a much more expansive view on the future while being very clear on their own values. So stay in the game and embrace the uncertainties as the biggest achievements lies just beyond the horizon.

Article originally published in HBR IdeaCast