There are both functional and emotional elements that impede movement in uncertainty.
We need to identify and address both to move forward with ease. But as business people, we can often forget to look for the latter.
Why it matters: Both functional and emotional hurdles will slow momentum, but the latter often create more friction because they're harder to see and trickier to address.
Go deeper: Take this example: a marketing team was tasked with integrating AI into their processes. It got slow as they debated which tools to use, how to procure them, and how and where to use them. Functional hurdles.
But also, people wondered (mostly silently): What if I fail at this? Or worse, what if I succeed and I "AI myself out of a job." Emotional hurdles.
To move forward, we flipped the script. Instead of asking people to adapt processes out of the gate, we set a lighter goal: Just play with AI tools and share what surprises you most.
Whether your team is slowed by an AI mandate, tariffs, a reorg, or something else, it's critical to identify what are potential functional and emotional hurdles.
Because lowering or removing BOTH will help you to move forward with ease.
Next week I’m hosting a live workshop on moving through uncertainty—$25, with all proceeds to World Central Kitchen.
Please share with any leader experiencing uncertainty (so, all of them?!)
And if your organization is in the midst of big uncertainties (like adapting post-reorg, dealing with tariff-related pricing or procurement issues, or navigating an AI integration, to name a few), reach out to talk about dedicated support.
I’m so glad you’re here! Thank you for joining me in this corner of the world where we’re committed to light actions bringing us clarity. Together, we’ll lighten things right up until we’re exactly where we hoped to be. Subscribe here:
Thoughtful insights, easy experiments and smart light actions delivered (most) Fridays. I’m Amy Bonsall—ambiguity architect. I help leaders lead better through uncertainty. I’m a former IDEO and Old Navy exec, Harvard Business Review author, and secret-back-pocket resource for leaders wanting to feel more confident in ambiguity.
