Those collective “WTF?” moments might be leadership gold mines!
Revealing Assumptions in Moments of Confusion
Researchers deliberately create meaningless situations to study how humans rebuild understanding (mean I know). Their findings offer insights for leaders navigating uncertainty.
When confusion hits, our hidden assumptions suddenly become visible, like fish noticing water only when they’re on dry land. These moments provide rare glimpses into your organisation’s underlying beliefs.
We’re natural storytellers when faced with uncertainty. The story you tell (or don’t tell) shapes how everyone moves forward after those “WTF” moments.
Making sense is inherently social. Your team instinctively looks not just for information but for emotional cues. Your response becomes part of everyone’s sense-making process!
Revealing Assumptions in Moments of Confusion
Researchers deliberately create meaningless situations to study how humans rebuild understanding (mean I know). Their findings offer insights for leaders navigating uncertainty.
When confusion hits, our hidden assumptions suddenly become visible, like fish noticing water only when they’re on dry land. These moments provide rare glimpses into your organisation’s underlying beliefs.
We’re natural storytellers when faced with uncertainty. The story you tell (or don’t tell) shapes how everyone moves forward after those “WTF” moments.
Making sense is inherently social. Your team instinctively looks not just for information but for emotional cues. Your response becomes part of everyone’s sense-making process!
Try these Approaches
Create “confusion-friendly zones” where admitting bewilderment is encouraged.
Observe sense-making with genuine curiosity: Who speaks first? What explanations gain traction?
Challenge your team to generate multiple plausible interpretations of ambiguous situations
Perhaps leadership isn’t about having all the answers but creating spaces where meaning emerges collectively, sometimes with laughter, sometimes with struggle, but always together.
Try these Approaches
Create “confusion-friendly zones” where admitting bewilderment is encouraged.
Observe sense-making with genuine curiosity: Who speaks first? What explanations gain traction?
Challenge your team to generate multiple plausible interpretations of ambiguous situations
Perhaps leadership isn’t about having all the answers but creating spaces where meaning emerges collectively, sometimes with laughter, sometimes with struggle, but always together.
