A flexible tool for #VUCA conversations
Are you having conversations about where and how volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity (VUCA) are impacting your team, organization, community, and/ or system?
*Note: Contact me if you’d like to explore consulting, facilitation support, setting up a professional development workshop/ series, etc.
*A request - If this post isn’t relevant to the “hat” you’re currently wearing, please share it with someone who you think might benefit.
We talk about how VUCA is now an unavoidable and accelerating part of so many aspects of our work and lives. Collaborative changemaking mindsets and skill sets help us to not only survive in VUCA, but to thrive. But how do we engage in conversations to help us do this? We need a framework to help us get started. I couldn’t find a simple one, so I designed this “VUCA MAP” tool. It's very broadly applicable. I hope it helps you and your team, organization, students, community, etc. Take 20 minutes and see if this sparks constructive conversations.
Following are five in-person/virtual applications (amongst many) for this tool that you might consider depending on what “hat” you’re currently wearing:
(Note - If you don’t have the book, use the QR code/link to go to the Google Sheet of the tool. Make an editable copy for yourself.)
CHECK IN WITH YOUR TEAM/ORGANIZATION.
In particular, remember that different people have different definitions/ comfort levels for uncertainty and ambiguity. I've failed in the past when I thought everyone was as comfortable with uncertainty as I was.
ENGAGE WITH COMMUNITY MEMBERS.
VUCA is contextual. Knowing where VUCA exists, why it exists, and how it’s affecting communities is essential. Ask questions and listen.
HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH YOUR STUDENTS.
Talk to students in your class/ school about where they’re experiencing VUCA. Give them a helpful framework. You’ll likely discover some things you never would have imagined that are affecting their studies and well-being. Maybe use this tool to create a survey?
ANALYZE A MARKET/ SECTOR WITH A TEAMMATE.
You’re more likely to have success with your product/service if you know where VUCA exits and can strategize accordingly.
DISCUSS THE RESILIENCE OF A PROJECT/ PROGRAM.
Talk about where VUCA exists to make sure that you’re building something that can withstand externalities.
I hope you found this helpful. Please do reach out to me at gregvankirk@gmail.com or on LinkedIn if I can be of help. And if you haven’t purchased IT’S WHAT YOU SET IN MOTION: A TOOLBOX FOR COLLABORATIVE CHANGEMAKING, go to collaborativechangemaking.com.
And please share this with anyone who you think might benefit. Much appreciated!