The Next Next Common Sense
capacity to navigate ambiguity without either paralyzing analysis or im- pulsive reaction. A product development leader implementing this practice restruc- tured her team’s approach to innovation, creating space for exploration and experimentation with uncertain outcomes while establishing clear boundaries for managing risk. This balanced approach enabled the team to pursue promising opportunities without either excessive caution or reckless gambles. Engage in reflective practice. Regularly step back from immediate activity to reflect on your experiences, extract insights, and adjust your ap- proach. This reflection isn’t just about what happened but about how you made sense of situations, what assumptions guided your actions, and what you might do differently in the future. This practice accelerates learning and develops adaptive capability. A team leader implementing this practice established regular “learn- ing reviews” where team members reflected not just on outcomes but on the thinking processes that led to decisions. These reviews surfaced assumptions, identified patterns, and generated insights that improved both individual and collective capability for navigating complexity. Practice narrative agility. Develop the ability to create, revise, and share stories that help make sense of complex situations. These narratives aren’t simplistic explanations but nuanced accounts that acknowledge complexity while providing enough coherence for meaningful action. This practice enhances your ability to navigate ambiguity and help others do the same. A leader practicing this approach developed a narrative about his organization’s evolution that acknowledged both achievements and chal- lenges, provided context for current initiatives, and created a coherent frame for future direction. This narrative wasn’t a rigid script but a living story that evolved as conditions changed, helping team members make sense of their experiences and maintain direction amid uncertainty. These personal practices aren’t separate from organizational ap- proaches but the foundation upon which collective capabilities are built.
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