Author: George Liacos
How to think more strategically: Embracing Ambiguity: Insights (Part 1)
Are you ready to be comfortable being uncomfortable? Strategic thinking is about not knowing the answers all the time.
We build our strategic thinking muscle using a range of techniques and tools as outlined in my book Spark Change.
The twelfth Spark I’d like to introduce you to is Embracing Ambiguity.
How to think more strategically: outside the comfort zone
To embrace ambiguity means to accept, tolerate or even appreciate situations, ideas or information that are unclear, uncertain or open to multiple interpretations. Are you comfortable in the absence of clear-cut answers or absolute certainty?
Embracing ambiguity means you are willing to navigate through uncertainty, complexity and the unknown without feeling the need to resolve every uncertainty immediately. It’s about being comfortable with being uncomfortable.
Embracing ambiguity might sound like surrendering to chaos. But let’s pause for a second and debunk that misconception. You see, ambiguity is often treated like a murky fog that must be cleared away for the path ahead to become visible.
This is the traditional view, and it’s deeply ingrained in our systems, our boardrooms and our decision-making processes. But here’s the inconvenient truth: this attitude towards ambiguity might just be the most significant stumbling block we put in the way of innovative, responsive and agile strategic thinking.
Now, embracing ambiguity doesn’t mean throwing all planning and rationality out the window. On the contrary, it complements these elements by adding a layer of fluidity. It encourages asking ‘what if’ questions. What if our assumptions are wrong? What if there’s another way? It turns the spotlight towards adaptability and positions it as an asset, not a liability.
This approach reshapes not only how we strategise, but also how we execute and evaluate. It opens us up to the diversity of thought and breaks down the hierarchies that often stifle innovation. It’s not about having all the answers, but about asking the right questions. It’s about the journey of discovery where the act of finding out is as critical as the knowledge gained.
As Rainer Maria Rilke perfectly encapsulated, ‘Have patience with everything that remains unsolved in your heart. Live in the question.’ So, as you ponder your next strategic move, dare to embrace the fog, the uncertainty, and the ambiguity. It just might be the clearest path forward.
How to think more strategically: case study
Lets have a look at how adaptive plans can lead to real-life benefit.
Imagine a nonprofit focused on environmental conservation. They’d always operated on five-year strategic plans nailed to specific outcomes – until they embraced ambiguity.
Their rigid planning model simply couldn’t adapt to the fast-paced changes in climate patterns, governmental policies and technological advancements. Then they moved towards a fluid, adaptive model that allowed them to pivot more efficiently.
Within the first year, the organisation secured a high-profile partnership with a leading tech firm to deploy AI-powered wildlife tracking, something that was outside their original strategic purview.
They became a hub for innovation and effectiveness, which had a ripple effect on their fundraising efforts. Their adaptability attracted not just funding, but the right kind of collaborative partnerships, transforming them from a local player to an influencer in global conservation circles. They knew the core of their mission, but were not fixated on the how; this allowed them to explore and seize opportunities as they emerged.
Resources & Support
So how can you use Embracing Ambiguity in your own work? Stay tuned for our next post with tips and tricks to harness the benefits of this Spark.
This is why I wrote the book Spark Change, developed the Strategic Thinking Masterclass, and have released The Spark Strategic Leader ™ Subscription Program – all to help our sector’s leaders build the strategic thinking muscle.
Contact us at info@sparkstrategy.com.au to find out more.
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