AmBIGuity?

Photo Crefit: Richard Chicoine iCopyright 2009

Fear of Ambiguity

It's easy enough not to notice the opportunity to innovate - to ignore the possibilities. Our daily routines determine our most common direction and pace. We can easily ignore the obvious. That's a dangerous leadership trait.

As leaders, how can you become more aware of circumstances which will spur on unlikely intersections of ideas and help others to get over the fear of "change", for example?

This week's photo - the Snow Rose - illustrates the potential of "intersections" of thoughts. The question at the root of the experiment: "What would happen if... "

Leaders need to see the possible in the impossible and help others leap through the fear of the unknown.

In his book, ICONOCLAST, Gregory Berns says:

"Fear of the unknown, or ambiguity, is a funny thing. It is not a specific event event such as an electric shock or the pain experienced from the criticism of an unempathetic supervisor. Ambiguity stems from lack of knowledge. It looms over the psyche like a dark cloud on the horizon. Some people are better at dealing with ambiguity than others, but when fear of the unknown bubbles to the surface, it is universally experienced in the same way."

What to do? Re-direct your fear of ambiguity. ASK! Read. Discuss. Experiment - play. Find the "intersections" and lather yourself up with ambiguity.

There's a biological reason behind this theory. As a leader, you have to find the knowledge and then stimulate your own - and everyone's - "amygdala". That's the brain's critical processing centre, an almond shaped structure critical for processing emotions. Amygdala's have a long memory, and they can be trained!

The Practical Application for You:

Which brings us to this month's CAP presentation, "Dress Rehearsal". Here are the "ambiguous" guidelines which we sent last week.

• About your CAP Presentation:
  
  This is a "dress rehearsal" for graduation.
  Only firm guideline: 10 minutes max.
  Purpose is to highlight your CAP project and results, your leadership learning’s.
  How and what you include is up to you.
  Hint: tell a story!
  And remember that the audience "knows nothing" about your project.

The "ambiguity" of instructions allows each of you to experiment in ways which will stretch your skills. I'm thrilled that 2 groups were pro-active in asking for instructions. Asking for input, direction, how to respond in new ways is a sign of solid leadership. Don't be afraid to ask!

Gregory Berns says, "One of the critical fears that inhibit people from sharing their ideas is the fear of being rejected." The solution? "Remove as much of the social pressure as possible, by creating an environment in which individuals feel comfortable pitching half baked ideas."

Your May presentation is an important "dress rehearsal". We'll give each other feedback on what works, what doesn't and how you can blow the audience away with your CAP presentation at June's graduation. It's going to be fun! And... you have a month to prepare your final versions.

Once again, if you need help, just ask.

Here's to happy amygdalas,

Maggie