Change the things that can be changed, accept those that cannot, and have the wisdom to know the difference.
Serenity Prayer
VUCAN leadership often surfaces in a battle or pandemic, where the consequences of poor judgment are fatal. We believe that critical self management issues will surface for each of us in opportunity situations (upside risk) and high consequence situations (downside risk).
Most of us think about and look at downside risk, such as Murphies, bad events, or bad things. Let’s look at opportunity situations (upside risk). For example, can risk based, problem solving (RBPS) and decision making (RBDM) make a difference in a business organization or a project team? Studies indicate that VUCAN leadership is shown in teams and small organizations. Small product development teams have developed breathtaking products, project teams have constructed wonders of the world, and small combat teams have changed the outcome of battles and even wars. In these instances, leader’s made smart decisions in COVID time that had a dramatic impact on organizational performance.
A simple business example illustrates the power of VUCAN leadership. The captain of a fishing vessel can be a leader who makes a noticeable difference. A fishing vessel is a unique environment. It’s a mobile small business similar to a food truck whose success is determined by its catch of fish. It’s isolated from many influences. It’s self-contained and can be studied. One study found that 40% of the variation in the herring catch among boats in the country’s fishing fleet depended on the personality of the captain.
A similar survey of top U.S. and Canadian companies concluded that 15 to 25% of the variation in a company’s profitability was directly due to their chief executives. Fishing boat captains sense where the fish are and executives know where the money is! So, leadership matters.
Work Lesson Earned: Organizations are looking for workers and requiring contractors to self manage their work, be innovative, and make their numbers.