Uncertainty is an ever-present companion in life and leadership.
Much like crossing a stream by stepping on rocks and stones, navigating uncertainty requires courage, adaptability, and a willingness to embrace the unknown.
This analogy of crossing a stream illustrates how to move forward when the path may be unclear, and the only way to progress is through calculated risks and trust in your ability to adapt.
Leveraging failure for maximum learning
In her new book The Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well, Amy Edmondson explores failure and ways to both reframe and leverage it for maximum learning.
According to Amy, intelligent failures – often “the right kind of wrong” – are characterized by four key qualities:
They take place in new territory where uncertainty is high.
There is a meaningful opportunity to advance toward a desired goal;
They are informed by available knowledge; and
They are as small as they can be to provide valuable insights.
What’s the liberating takeaway that I and my clients have found especially valuable?
When we are in uncharted territory, literally the only way forward is through trial and error. That removes the pressure to always know what to do, and it reframes our narrative around the challenges and failures we experience.
Reverse engineering Amy Edmondson’s four attributes adds additional wisdom to that mindset.
It tells us to notice when we’re navigating unfamiliar terrain and when there’s something to gain in doing it.
It reminds us to be intentional, hypothesis-driven, and reflective about how we proceed, making observations about what works and what doesn’t with neutral curiosity and applying that learning in real time.
Daunting uncertainty and leadership growth
Imagine standing at the edge of a stream, faced with the task of crossing via stones to the other side. The stream represents the challenges and uncertainties we encounter, whether it's leading a team through a period of transition, parenting at any time ever (!!!), or making critical decisions with incomplete information.
This uncertainty can be daunting, but it is precisely in these moments of uncertainty that true growth and leadership emerge, whether we find a good foothold, get wet, or must backtrack to find a different way.
There may be multiple ways to get to the other side—often leading to different outcomes. Some paths may prove more challenging, requiring agility and perseverance to overcome obstacles along the way. Some may lead to unexpected opportunities or well-formed paths that weren’t visible until you got to that stone, offering valuable lessons and insights that shape future decisions.
The key to successfully navigating the unknown lies in embracing a mindset of experimentation and learning. By embracing uncertainty, taking calculated risks, and trusting in our ability to adapt, we can navigate the challenges ahead and emerge stronger on the other side.
Photo by Jachan DeVol