How to Lead Teams in an Unknown Future

Navigating the unknown can be daunting, but it’s also a thrilling adventure. In today’s unpredictable business landscape, teams may feel like they’re stuck in survival mode. To break free and stay ahead, it’s essential to ignite intrinsic motivation, making it stronger than the fear of the unknown. This requires us to ask the big questions: Why are we doing this? Who do we serve? What’s next? By focusing on these, we can inspire learning, adapting, and moving forward with enthusiasm.

Our brains are wired to predict the future based on what we know. When reality aligns with our expectations, we’re happy. But in high-stakes situations where we lack clear maps or theories, fear kicks in. This fear can push us back to our comfort zones. This survival instinct has served us well for millennia, but it can also hold us back.

Today’s business world is volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous – far from the clarity our brains crave. Yet, in these moments, we look to our team and especially our leaders to provide that much-needed certainty and comfort.

Leaders and teams today are struggling

In the past, leaders could rely on their experience to tackle challenges. But today, the pace of change – driven by AI, technology, globalisation, and other trends – makes past experience less relevant. Both leaders and teams are grappling with making sense of a rapidly changing world, risking failure and irrelevance.

What it takes to get ready as a team for an ever-changing future

To thrive in an uncertain future, we need to rise above our natural tendency to react based on past experiences. This means fostering intrinsic motivation to overcome the resistance to the unknown and embracing learning, collaboration, adaptation, and innovative thinking.

Humans are naturally inclined to seek novelty, face challenges, and master new skills, but this flourishes best in a supportive environment. The most crucial element is a strong sense of belonging and safety – a fundamental human need. Building this bond requires a purpose that transcends self-interest and unites individuals in a shared mission. This starts with clarity about whom you serve, empathy, and understanding what matters to them.

When team members have a meaningful cause to rally behind, they need to feel competent and autonomous to stay motivated in a high-stakes environment. This involves providing a clear context, simple guiding principles, and mutual support through communication, feedback, and development.

Ultimately, we must recognise that no one excels at everything alone. But when we support each other, trust flourishes. With trust, we’re more willing to explore, take risks, and venture into the unknown. And we become determined not to let each other down. With this foundation, your team can achieve incredible things in a future that’s yet to unfold.