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"It takes courage to live"... and for VUCA - compass or guard rails?

Writer's picture: anita mrakovićanita mraković

The prevailing VUCA world - volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. Occurring together, they create anxiety because they undermine the sense of control and predictability. People feel insecure and overwhelmed in the face of constant change, information overload, ambiguity of events and difficulty in finding clear answers and solutions.


"It takes courage to face the challenges and fears that life brings."
"And what does it take to deal with the VUCA world?"

Compass or guard rails in a VUCA world?

A person holds a compass with his left hand in the direction of sunset (west).  Unknown waters stretch out in front of him.
Compass for navigation and orientation
A country road leading through a dense forest with the help of delineators.
Guard rails for visibility, safety and orientation











What does VUCA stand for?


Volatility,

i.e. fluctuations that can quickly change from one extreme to the other. Changes become unpredictable and evolve rapidly, leading to uncertainty.


Uncertainty,

because predictability decreases and we lack clear information. This naturally leads to a feeling of fear and an inability to control the future.


Complexity,

the increase in information, interconnections and interactions and the associated problems and challenges we face are becoming increasingly complex and require a holistic approach.


Ambiguity,

is the vagueness of an event or situation. There is often conflicting information and different interpretations of events. The difficulty in finding clear answers or solutions can lead to anxiety, frustration and conflict.



What does the compass stand for?

The main purpose of a compass is to help people navigate, especially in situations where no other means of orientation are available. You have to know which direction you want to go in order to determine the path with the compass.


Is a moral compass one-dimensional or does it have several levels?

If a moral compass can vary from person to person because it is strongly influenced by individual values, beliefs and experiences, can a compass serve as a tool in a VUCA world? So from the individual to the social, ethical and philosophical?


In today's VUCA world, is the moral compass sufficiently developed at the individual and societal level to...

  • To deal with values and convictions self-reflexively and critically?

  • To provide orientation in complex and conflictual situations?

  • Contribute to the development of a coherent personality with integrity?

  • To nurture, develop and promote positive interpersonal relationships?

  • To have a positive impact on the community and the social environment?


What do the guard rails represent?

Guide posts or guard rails are to be understood here as the norms and values of our society. They thus shape our framework, which determines the behaviour and attitudes of people in this society. They serve as guidelines for social coexistence and influence individual behaviour, interpersonal relationships and social structures. An example of norms and values of a society are respect, justice, honesty, solidarity, education, environmental awareness etc.


What about our social etiquette then? How do we treat each other in society?

  • Do we treat each other politely, respectfully and honestly?

  • Do we show gratitude and appreciation as a small gesture of recognition?

  • Do we respect the boundaries of others?

  • Do we know what good manners are? This includes not only table manners, personal hygiene, avoiding rude or aggressive behaviour or?

  • How do we communicate with each other? Do we listen to each other, avoid interruptions and also pay attention to our non-verbal communication? Can we approach each other respectfully and engage in dialogue on controversial and sensitive issues?

  • Are we empathetic and do we understand what consideration means?


How do we deal with our older generation who have fulfilled their lives with work and diligence before us. We are all part of an ancestral family in one form or another and biologically we grow older from day one. Is our society really built only on achievement? Or can we also, or perhaps precisely because of this, see the older generation as added value and take them more into our midst instead of pushing them to the margins?


How do we deal with people with disabilities? Do we view them similarly to the older generation on the fringes of our society, or should we also change the perspective here and put the person in the centre and see their personality, abilities and talents as added value?


What values and norms do we pass on to the next generation, also in the sense of how do we treat our environment? In other words, the interaction between humans and nature. Are we striving for the long-term well-being of humanity and other living beings? Do we as a society and as individuals make environmentally conscious decisions to preserve a healthy and liveable environment for future generations?



What do you think? In dealing with the VUCA world, do we need a compass as an orientation aid or, in addition, a moral compass, guard rails or perhaps something completely different in order to master the demands and challenges of the present individually and at the societal level in order to align the future in a sustainable way that is worth living for people, living beings and nature?











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