How to prosper in VUCA times and the Adaptive Age

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The current situation: The concept used for chaotic situations, VUCA [Volatility and acceleration of changes, Uncertainty of information and future, Complexity of interrelation of variables, Ambiguity and little certainty between positions found] is normalized, not only in military or business environment, now is the reality of civilization in general.

The impact: This produces a feeling of loss of CONTROL. We are not clear on 

what to expect, much less on what to do. Prosperity and happiness are defined by our expectations and the VUCA situation baffles us to generate those expectations.

Such perception of loss of control affects our TRUST, in ourselves and in others, on the ability to respond to these challenges.

The timely response: Embrace the choice to adapt. We can avoid automatic responses and CHOOSE CONSCIOUSLY. From a philosophical vision, to a more pragmatic one, we must recover wisdom to adapt to circumstances and choose wisely between:

• What we can control, to ANTICIPATE and ACT proactively.
• What we cannot control, we must kindly ACCEPT and ADAPT to it.

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How do we do it? What habits and practices are needed? Be ACA! [In Spanish it means HERE] A good acronym to be present and build TRUST. Here are some ACA examples, with an individual and leadership focus:

A - Awareness and Consciousness

• Pay full attention and realize how the situation is impacting, yourself, and others. It involves focusing on truthful information, listening, and fostering personal connection to the people around you.
• Know your and your team´s [family and work] personal resources, to overcome and prosper. This requires continuous analysis and discerning of skills, attitudes,  and limitations.

C - Compassion

• Kindly accept the emotions and responses of oneself and others. 
• Practice inclusiveness to reduce the excesses of individual egos, focusing on the common good of the team.
• Accept the inevitable with a sense of peace, not getting emotionally hooked on events out of your control.
• Respond with positive intentionality.
• Be flexible when facing mistakes and be humble to learn.

A - Action

• Practice proactivity and active involvement in a responsible response. Quick decision making.
• Empower your team. Giving capacity of action and control.
• Agree on clear goals that balance everyone's ego and energies.
• Talk about the WHY not just the how or what.

In addition to a culture focused on general well-being, the most important thing is that we individually change our attitude, understanding that the rules have changed, so we need to ADAPT. This requires that we create a space of discernment between the stimulus [VUCA situation] and our response, so that we can choose wisely.

Leaders have a responsibility to build TRUSTED environments for others to to be able to act and prosper. Authoritative or tyrant leadership styles are no longer options.

The latin origin of RESPONSIBLY is Response + ability! How capable are you?

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