Thriving in uncertainty

" In the midst of uncertainty, find freedom.”"

Alan Watts, philosopher and writer

How can we embrace uncertainty? In truth, we have no choice! The world is VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, and Ambiguous) or BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Non-linear, and Incomprehensible). To better adapt, we need to prepare ourselves to live with long-term uncertainty.

Here are some thought-provoking questions to consider: How could Trump’s election represent an opportunity for France? What if Elon Musk were appointed Minister of Government Efficiency—could that be a good thing? And many more questions about the conflicts surrounding us or the unusual political decisions being made today.

We are going through a collective ordeal that affects each of us differently. Between energy uncertainty, environmental threats, and rapid social transformation, it becomes essential to ask: How can we combat gloominess and avoid letting anger, fatigue, or anxiety take control? This period can be seen as an opportunity—to stop listening to doomsayers, and instead refocus on where we can truly have impact: our health, our well-being, our families and friends, and our work.

Our brain, as neuroscientist Sébastien Bohler explains, is not naturally wired to tolerate uncertainty. It constantly seeks to understand, predict, and control its environment. Yet in the face of these challenges, it’s up to us to build individual and collective resilience—and to develop what Nassim Nicholas Taleb calls “antifragility”, a concept he popularized in his book of the same name.

Finding meaning

One of the biggest challenges in uncertain times is finding meaning. These periods trigger in our brains a sense of chaos, unpredictability, and the unknown—states it instinctively fears. Our mind, naturally programmed to plan and structure the future, constantly tries to reduce uncertainty in our environment.

“Fear is the path to the dark side: fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering.”
— Master Yoda

How can we avoid falling into that trap? By fighting negative emotional contagion. Our brain generates one thought every two seconds—hence the ruminations, like a heavy grey cloud circling above our heads, replaying all the negative thoughts triggered by uncertainty. Here are a few strategies to break free from that loop:

Accept the situation and live in the present

Dealing with uncertainty begins by accepting the situation as it is, even—especially—when it's hard. Take time to reflect on what’s positive in your life: your loved ones’ good health, a steady income, or simple yet meaningful projects. Identifying these helps foster a positive mindset.

Adopting a trial-and-error approach can be effective, especially when paired with an acceptable error rate.

When facing uncertainty, our brain tends to spin through endless scenarios, driven by a specific circuit—the cingulate cortex—that tries to anticipate every possible outcome. While helpful when variables are controllable, this loop becomes counterproductive when too many unknowns exist. The result? Mental overdrive and a flood of stress hormones.

To counteract this, focus on simple, grounding activities. Engage in things that bring you joy—be it physical or mental: a walk, a creative moment, or a personal project.

Choose to stop ruminating

Develop self-confidence. Each of us holds untapped reserves of resilience. Embrace the freedom of not being able to predict everything.

Strengthen your family and social bonds

Our greatest strength in uncertain times is the empathetic synergy we can create with others.

Crisis mode thinking

Extreme uncertainty forces us to explore divergent scenarios and regularly challenge our assumptions. In such unprecedented conditions, supporting leaders becomes as vital as supporting frontline employees—ensuring they all work in the best possible conditions.

In times of crisis, the implementation of a crisis unit (both bottom-up and top-down) is often the only effective way forward.

Change the story you tell yourself

We’re entering a long-lasting period of uncertainty. It’s up to you to choose to love it—a time that will reward the most agile among us.

Think like a strategic warrior

Use this unique moment to jot down all your ideas in a dedicated notebook. Prioritize based on what truly matters to you in the next 2 to 3 years.

To do so, start by creating space in your schedule—a weekly 30-minute meeting with yourself. The 1980s glorified the “doers.” Now is the time for strategic thinkers! Take time to observe the trends in your field, the disruptors, the technologies emerging, and where your job is likely heading.

Each of us can—and must—take a simple action to better navigate uncertainty. Whether it’s reconnecting with your priorities, strengthening relationships, or cultivating inner calm, every step counts.

And you—what are your levers for learning to better appreciate uncertainty and turning it to your advantage?

#resilience #uncertainty #positivism #connection