UNCERTANITY OR OPPORTUNITY?

According to Amy Lyman, the opposite of uncertainty isn’t certainty, its opportunity. Trustworthy leaders move through uncertainty to pursue opportunity. As we saw last week, uncertainty creates the necessary condition for leadership meaning that leadership is rich with uncertainty.

Ineffective leaders require certainty before they act while on the other hand, successful leaders make decisions where outcomes are uncertain. This is what differentiates men from boys. Boys require certainty before they commit to marrying the lady they have been seeing for several years now. Men on the other hand will make decisions where the outcomes are uncertain. After all who said that there is any certainty in marriage?

As we look forward into the New Year, 2012, there is too much uncertainity ahead of us. We are not sure whether will have elections this year or next year. Even if we have them this year, we are uncertain whether they will be peaceful or not. We really don’t know what the year holds  for us even though we are hoping for the best. That is just how life is. But in the midst of all these uncertainties’ one thing is certain, God will be there with and for us.

"I will bring the blind by a way they did not know; I will lead them in paths they have not known. I will make darkness light before them, and crooked places straight. These things I will do for them, and not forsake them.” (Isaiah 42:16).

CLARITY IN UNCERTAINITY

Last year my wife and I felt the need to make a transition in our life. We had been Pastors at a Local Church for 12 years and had felt the need to move on into what we felt God was calling us to, a marriage ministry. We had toiled with this idea for about 18 months and so towards the end of the year, we resigned and moved into this new venture. 

Were we certain that our decision was the right one? No. If we had waited for absolute certainty, we would still be talking. But a decision had to be made. A clear decision. And that decision, made in the intangible realm of ideas and projections will eventually be judged in the real world of recognition.

According to Andy Stanley, Senior Pastor of North Point Community Church and Author of The Next Generation Leader, Uncertainty is a permanent part of the leadership landscape. Uncertainty is not an indication of poor leadership; it underscores the need for leadership. It is the environment in which good leadership is most easily identified. The nature of leadership demands that there always be an element of uncertainty. Where there is no uncertainty, there is no longer the need for leadership. The greater the uncertainty, the greater the need for leadership.

As you rise through the ranks of leadership, you will be called upon to make decisions regarding ideas, values, purpose, positioning, branding, strategy, and mission. It is all so intangible. Yet eventually these lofty discussions impact reality. In time, the direction you choose for your organization will show up on a bottom line. And there, in the realm of sales, production, recognition, attendance, or whatever your organization is trying to achieve, your leadership will be judged. But remember that in the realm of the intangible, it takes longer to recognize your brilliance or your stupidity.

“Uncertainty creates the necessary condition for leadership.” – Jim Kouzes

ONE SURE THING IN 2012 - UNCERTAINTY

The other day we had a Christmas party. The most interesting part of the party, apart from the food of course, was the time we had to open our gifts. We played a game whereby each of us was to pick some pieces of folded paper with numbers. We were then to pick the gifts in order of our numbers with number 1 being the first to pick. After number two had picked and it was now the turn for number 3, the number 3 and the other numbers following were given two options. One, either to pick a gift that was still wrapped or to “steal” a gift from those who had already opened their gift.

Obviously if you had seen something that you wanted, then you stole from the other players. But the majority of us opted for the wrapped gifts hoping to find something that we really loved. This was the only time I have seen the majority of people going for the unknown instead of the known. We all naturally fear the unknown. We often want to remain in our comfort zones; in the known place.

Leaders provide a mental picture of a preferred future and then ask people to follow them there. Just like me as a Leader for my house, I’m required with the help of my wife to lead our children. Over the Christmas hols, my wife and I agreed to try out a new place to go to for Christmas. Each year we try to take our kids to a new place, different from where have been before.

Unlike in the past, this particular place we chose this time was a place neither my wife nor I had been to (don't try this with your family). We had only heard about it and so we decided to venture out. Our kids kept asking us all kinds of questions regarding this place and the only thing we could do was to assure them that they would enjoy themselves. What they didn’t know was that we too were not sure of what lay ahead of us.Long story short, it ended up being a very nice and wonderful place and the kids did indeed enjoy themselves.

That is exactly what the new year presents us with, uncertainty. Contrary to what we have learned, that you never take people to a place you haven’t been yourself, where there is no uncertainty, there is no longer the need for leadership. Leaders require those around them to abandon the known and embrace the unknown – with no guarantee of success. As Leaders we are asking men and women not only to follow us to a place they have never been before (2012); we are asking them to follow us to a place we have never been before either (2012). That takes guts. That takes nerve. That takes courage. Have a happy new year won't you!