Courageous and principled | How to be a leader in a VUCA world

In this exclusive article for Grapevine Leaders, Thom Dennis, CEO of culture change consultancy Serenity in Leadership, outlines the qualities needed to be a leader in today's VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) world.

Businesses are facing constant additional challenges arising from climate change, austerity, Brexit, the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the increasing movement of uprooted people. They're also dealing with unexpected competition, new technology and surprising disruptors, and the consequences of a crippled supply chain along with the cost-of-living crisis. This means that many are grappling with stress, fear, instability, insecurity and anxiety in an increasingly uncertain world, and it is clear why we need inspiring and dependable leaders in business to rise from the ashes to motivate and lead by example with determination and compassion.

Whilst the characteristics of a great leader during VUCA times may be bespoke to every business, the skills we need now in 2022 are different to what they were. Many herald Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy as a great political leader, with his excellent communicative skills and extraordinary courage; but what are the characteristics of great business leaders in a VUCA world?

1. An ability to convert anxiety into energy. This means establishing what anxieties there are within the business and addressing them on a one-to-one basis or as a group. Feeling isolated or unheard, or dealing with a lack of clarity creates anxiety. Leaders who are transparent share a common goal and know that developing good team spirit can move this anxiety to energy. Furthermore, the expression of their own energy is so important because people will respond positively or negatively to how they operate. The more self-aware leaders are, the more successful they will be.