Learning to Embrace Uncertainty

Remember when I shared my story about my first internship in the Washington, D.C.? If not, you can find the quick version here.

It was a transformative period in my life that taught me the value of resilience, adaptability, and the courage to navigate uncertainty.

But, here's the kicker - if I hadn't chosen to embrace uncertainty, I wouldn't be the consultant and business owner I am today.

So, this week, I want to share a simple, actionable piece of advice: learn to embrace uncertainty.

The ability to handle ambiguity and turn it into a stepping stone is a powerful skill-set in our fast-paced entrepreneurial world.

As an Enneagram 6 and a former risk consultant, this did NOT come easy for me when I started on my entrepreneurial journey. I would do everything I could to try to figure out the right step before taking it.

But sadly, things don’t work that way. You need market feedback to determine the answers.

So, here are three practical steps to implement:

  1. Step outside your comfort zone: Challenge yourself with a task outside of your usual scope of work. It could be anything from doing sales outreach a different way, working on a new project, or learning about a different aspect of your industry. This will help you acclimate to unfamiliar situations and build confidence to face uncertainty head-on.

  2. Develop a Problem-Solving Mindset: Problems are inevitable. Instead of avoiding them, approach them as opportunities to learn and grow. Start by identifying the problem, brainstorming potential solutions, implementing a solution, and reflecting on the outcome. This is a muscle you will need to continually tone over time.

  3. Foster a Culture of Learning: Encourage continuous learning and experimenting amongst your team. This should be easy to do as you are likely wearing 147 hats, but make sure they know they have permission/the responsibility to think through solutions as well. This will not only increase the adaptability of your team but will also prepare them to handle unforeseen situations.

Remember, the unknown isn't something to fear - it's something to embrace.

Otherwise, you likely shouldn’t be in the world of entrepreneurship to begin with, as it will drive you mad! (Trust me, I was close until I reframed my mindset on this…)

It's in the unknown that opportunities lie and growth happens.

How do you not just handle, but embrace, uncertainty in your business?

Reply to this, and let me know!


Welcome to The Weekly CEO Debrief, where I provide founders and CEOs with one actionable piece of advice each week to grow their companies and their leadership skills.

If you find this information useful, I would love it if you would share it with your colleagues.

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