The term VUCA has been used for a while now to describe the modern business world. Originally coined in the US Military to describe the uncertainty of the post 9/11 world, futurist Bob Johansen adapted the term for the business world in his 2009 book Leaders Make The Future.
There are many forces at work which lead to the instability and turbulent nature of the business world: the downturn in the economy, the Covid-19 pandemic, the current energy crisis, changes in legislation and politics, the innovations in technology, rising costs, changing customer demands and the climate crisis – all factors that help create a VUCA world – volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous – an ever-changing, complicated, unclear world.
With this level of challenge, change and lack of stability, is it possible to prepare or plan for personal development for navigating the VUCA world?
Despite the unstable nature of the modern business world, you can still plan your personal development – and more to the point – why wouldn’t you? The lack of stability and constant change means it’s more important than ever to focus on your own personal development to help you through. An effective response to each one of the VUCA’s challenges can be planned, with careful appraisal of the changes and challenges in your industry – and in your own role, too.
Keep on moving
The key to personal development in a VUCA world is never resting on your laurels. If the world is continuously changing, the one thing you shouldn’t do is stand still yourself. Set goals for your personal development plan – but ensure that you remain flexible. You may need to adapt those goals depending on the changes that happen around you. Keep ahead of the game and do not be afraid to take on development and learning around a change that might not yet have happened. If the change doesn’t materialise, development is never a wasted effort. All learning is valuable and a risk worth taking.
Staying relevant through personal development is always important, but even more so for those who are experienced and a long way into their career journey. I’ve blogged before about career success being maximised by lifelong learning; embracing the changes that are thrown our way from external forces beyond our control in the VUCA world and then maximising the opportunities that these changes and uncertainties might actually bring us is a positive force for personal development.
Top tips to survive – and even benefit – from the VUCA world
A recent study found that making personal development planning effective meant aligning it with the individual’s personal goals and working life – and supporting it through reflection and continuous self-improvement. Vertical leadership seems to elevate the success of personal development, because it allows focus on the skills and competencies which are the most helpful in a VUCA world. These include ‘newer, more agile and pragmatic processes’ which can turn the potential downsides of VUCA into advantages. Here are my top tips to do just that.
1. Keep your eyes on the horizon
Be aware of the changes happening in your industry or profession and consider how they might impact on you.
Look ahead to the future and anticipate how your job role/profession might change/evolve and use that awareness to help you stay ahead of the curve with your personal development. Look at information from your professional bodies or industry news – what are the hot topics? What new innovations are being explored and what impact will this have? We know now that advances in AI and Chat GPT are new things that may impact many jobs – what will this mean for you?
2. Top up your ‘jug of knowledge’
I often talk about learning as being like a jug of knowledge perching on the top of your head. There’s a downside to this jug, though. It’s leaky, so as you progress your career, time passes and the world evolves, you let go of things you think you don’t need to know any more (like how to use a fax machine, an overhead projector or even a chalkboard).
This means that we need to actively replenish our ‘jug’ with new learning, so it doesn’t become completely empty of relevant knowledge – leaving us behind. We a ll need to keep learning, to keep that jug of knowledge full both in our careers and in our personal lives too.
Have a look at my blog on lifelong learning – remembering the three pillars of learning article I referenced. Your jug needs topping up regularly – so don’t neglect it.
3. Be a chameleon
Think Darwin and evolution. You need to change to grow and to survive in the ever-changing VUCA world. Make like a chameleon and adjust yourself to remain relevant and appropriate for the changing landscape. You’re never too experienced to change. Give yourself a quarterly personal development ‘MOT’ to reflect on your progress and plan future development. And don’t forget to keep an eye on your competitors and your peers, to see how they’re keeping up with the change that’s needed too. Look to learn from the newbies too – be open to learn from younger, newer employees who may be more in tune with some of the changes. You can learn from them – and stay one step ahead.
4. Take advantage
The advances in tech have worried many people, making them nervous that greater reliance on new tech would see both individuals and entire industries being made redundant. For example, some thought e-learning would see the end of trainers and training. It hasn’t. There are numerous other examples – accounting software, robotic process automation – those who have developed their practice to incorporate and work with change have thrived. If you can spot the opportunity in the change and make it part of your own development – you’ll be able to turn it to your own benefit.
Change isn’t always a bad thing. View it instead as an opportunity – and use it to your own advantage.
Want help with your own personal development in a VUCA world? Email me to book a free session to discuss your future development plans.
Feature image courtesy of Unsplash – Miquel Parera
