Getting comfortable with uncertainty

Many of us waited with bated breath on Sunday evening for the Prime Ministers update on the Covid-19 situation in the UK, and what the plan was for reducing lockdown. The update was brief, ambiguous, and the backlash was interesting.

Many people do not like uncertainty. They are uncomfortable with making decisions when the data or information is limited. Yet, this is a situation that many people find themselves in, personally and professionally. 

There is some science behind why some people do not react well to uncertainty. Uncertainty often fuels anxiety. Human beings are wired to respond with fear to potentially dangerous situations. I recently read an article which described an experiment in which they found people were more stressed when an outcome was unknown versus an outcome that was known, but negative. So people find uncertainly more stressful than knowing what’s going to happen, even when it’s bad.

I’ve become much better at handling uncertainty, and enjoy elements of it. Some things I’ve learned to help manage uncertainty in business: 

Focus on what you can control and not what you can’t. There are many things we have no control over, and worrying about them won't help in any way. Use your energy on what you can control. 

You don’t know what you don’t know. Accepting that you don’t know all of the answers and outcomes, and basing decisions the best you can on what you do know. 

Don’t be afraid to fail. If you follow the advice above, you will fail sometimes. Yet, better than not having tried at all. 

Be positive; don’t dwell on problems. In our meetings, we discuss both issues and opportunities. This solves the inevitable problems occurring in everyday business, but also ensures equal time on discussing opportunities, keeping everyone focused and positive.

Know when to trust your gut. If you feel something isn’t right, then it probably isn’t. As long as you’re not giving in to fear and anxiety, your gut feeling is probably right. 

I’ve found all of these learnings transformative in my approach to business and personal life. It isn’t surprising that people react badly to ambiguity and uncertainty. Still, I’ve found that getting the best out of people is to help them deal with uncertainty and use it to their advantage.