Leadership in a VUCA World: Strategies for Success
Drawing out from the leadership theories of Warren Bennis and Burt Nanus, The US Army War College developed the concept of VUCA to describe the more Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous multifaceted world during the conditions apparent at the conclusion of the Cold War.
Similar to the changing environment of the battlefield and war zones, business leaders applied this model to survive and thrive in the changing landscape of the business ecosystem, especially with technological advances and a connected world where a break in the logistics chain causes shortages in goods and supplies very much felt especially at the height of the lockdowns in today’s pandemic world.
Identifying and understanding each item of the VUCA Model serves to improve insight and anticipation as well as the behaviors of people and groups in organizations to endure and succeed in these unprecedented times.
Volatility: rapid change and unpredictable nature of events
Uncertainty: the possibility of being taken by surprise, a lack of assurance and understanding of problems and events and the tendency to base decisions only on partial information
Complexity: Lacking simplicity, quality or condition of difficulty in understanding, absence of cause and effect and confusion that surrounds the organization
Ambiguity: the haziness of reality, the possibility of misinterpretations, and the multiple meanings of conditions; confusion between cause and effect
The VUCA Model is an effective tool in assisting leaders analyze and diagnose the changes and challenges they are confronted with in terms of the business climate. It is critical to know which item in the VUCA model have been identified that the organization is faced with and plan for that to change. Being able to distinguish a threat or a challenge or a setback is only one part of the process. The crucial factor is the ability to identify its essence and characteristics. This is vital as it enlightens leaders to decide the appropriate course of action. It is sometimes a combination of two or three items but oftentimes, it is only in one of the components (items) that needs to be addressed to effect the change. Once identified, the right behaviors, choices and decisions made ensures the achievement of desired results. As people are the key to a company’s success, HR has a significant role in the achievement of organizational goals and we at Q2 HR solutions can help you with that.
We are Q2 HR Solutions, a company that provides a holistic approach to Human Resources. Depending on your requirements, we can fashion a program that suits your particular need/s to attain your desired goals. As each organization is unique, our HR solutions shall adapt accordingly. We offer a consultative and advisory approach that greatly impacts what matters most to you and your business.
For details about our capabilities, you may reach us at info@q2hrs.com and/or telephone no: (02) 8889-6258
We look forward to hearing from you. We want you to experience the HR that makes you and your company the center of our being!
References:
US Army War College
Warren Bennis and Burt Nanus
About the writer:
Ferdinand A. A. Limbo “Ferdie” is a Management Consultant, Office of the MD at Q2. He has more than 28 years of experience achieving winning results in his corporate career. Ferdie attended an MBA program at the Royal and Pontifical University of Santo Tomas.