According to anthropologist and futurist, Jamais Cascio, we have transitioned from a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) world into a BANI (brittle, anxious, non-linear, incomprehensible) world. We've moved from volatile to brittle. From uncertain to anxious. From ambiguous to incomprehensible. And in the middle of all this stands you -- the leader.
Yet there is the beautiful conflict to BANI in the prediction of economist-educator Minouche Shafik which was echoed by Brene Brown:
"In the past, jobs were about muscles, now they're about brains, but in the future, they'll be about the heart."
The era we are living in is also full of conflicts; some provocative enough to spark innovation, while others are pivotal enough to signal the end of something. This season may also give rise to some inner conflicts within you: for example, the anticipation of rest and time with family, or…the anxiety around rest and time with family. At work, there might be the relief of targets met, contrasted with the uncertainty of a new year. Your ability to see accurately and lead well in a BANI world depends on your own inner health. You may not be able to change the world from BANI to a calmer description, but you can address the “BANI” in you. Here are some words that might help:
Pause. The brittle portion of BANI is also described as fragile. Take some time and consider what's happening in you physically: is there tension in your stomach? Are you clenching your teeth? Do you have a headache? Are you feeling fragile? What might your body be trying to communicate through the symptoms you are experiencing?
Position: Another aspect of a BANI environment is that it is ‘non-linear’. Wouldn’t it be great if all challenges came when everyone was ready and in line with just the right actions? Consider the changes your organization has experienced in the last two years? How are you personally processing the impact of unexpected challenges in our world or your company? If your response is to push your concerns under a rug, you’re not going to lead well.
Perspective: I can’t recall how often I have heard, “I just don’t understand it”, in the past months. This is another aspect of a BANI environment. Consider this possibility; your survival of all that has occurred in the past five years has placed you in a position to thrive if you apply the wisdom you have gained – even in an incomprehensible environment. The courage to lead from this ‘wisdom perspective’ will be a game changer in the years to come
Peace: Before we can effectively lead outwardly, we must examine how we are leading ourselves. As leaders you know there will always be environmental factors that say, “Go this way,” or “Lead like this.” How is your inner compass directing you today? Where do you need to adjust so that you can lead from the inside out? The world may be a BANI environment, but your inner world doesn't have to be.
Make the adjustments in the areas you need. Find a processing partner to help if you are struggling. If in the future, jobs will be about the heart, you’re going to need the inner peace to see, hear and lead properly. And once you find your peace, do whatever is necessary to guard it.
Have a joyful Holiday Season.
Comentarios