In 1985, Bennis and Nanus, in their leadership theory, described that we are living in a VUCA world (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous) and that leaders must adapt to situations to manage. 36 years later, the VUCA world is more intense due to the pandemic. Businesses were severely impacted, and this has made business leaders realize that leadership in a VUCA world needs recalibration.
The time is ripe for businesses to toughen up, be situational, and relegate incompetent leaders. As the world gets increasingly VUCA, it demands people in leadership positions to reinvent their leadership skills. As leaders’ paradigm shifts, the focus of leadership changes. For the past decade, leadership research has gone through a transformation; for businesses to survive in a VUCA world, it is timely for business leaders to look within to develop their personal attributes.
In a VUCA world, a leader must first understand the challenges posed to deal with its impact on the business. Then, identify and gain insights into the VUCA factors so that the impacts of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity can be mitigated wherever, however, and whenever necessary. The aim is to reduce the adverse effects of volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity.
What are the areas affected by VUCA and what has changed?
The VUCA world is constantly changing which includes movements focused on equality and sustainability, with conditions related to natural disasters, and, of course, the current global pandemic and other humanitarian crises. Hence, it is crucial for you to gain the skills needed to proactively prepare for the negative impacts of VUCA. This involves formulating an action plan that will guide you in applying the leadership traits necessary to tackle specific VUCA impacts in today’s world. You need strong vision, courage, and character to lead in a VUCA world.
You can learn how to be a phenomenal leader in a VUCA world by enrolling in the Leadership Agility certificate program offered by Genashtim in collaboration with eCornell.
eCornell courses are approved by SkillsFuture Singapore for SkillsFuture Credit as well as by HRD Corp Malaysia under its HRD Corp Claimable Course Scheme.