14 changes vs uncertainty

You’ll often hear me quip, “I’m a change leader who hates change.” It’s not just self-deprecating humor—it makes me better at what I do. I empathize deeply with those navigating enterprise transformation, and I design processes and communications that reduce unnecessary anxiety and disruption.

But lately, I’ve been reflecting more deeply. And I’ve realized something surprising:
I don’t hate change. I thrive on it. What I truly resist is uncertainty. It is understanding the difference between the two that will be critical to successful transformation, both personally and professionally.

Why Change Energizes Me

I love the rush of urgent transformation. I’m drawn to the challenge of developing new solutions in emergent environments. Tackling complex, sticky issues in systems is where I come alive. Every strategic initiative becomes a new job, a new puzzle, a new opportunity.

  • No two days are the same.
  • Every action creates infinite patterns and possibilities.
  • Every transformation is a chance to shape the future.

This is why I’ve spent nearly two decades in strategic transformation. Change, when it’s purposeful, is exhilarating.

The Real Challenge: Navigating Uncertainty

Change has a direction—even if the roadmap is incomplete. There’s usually a desired end-state, a vision. Supporting clients from current state to future state is usually clear, even if the final parameters are still forming.

Uncertainty, however, is different. It’s the gnawing heaviness of:

  • Not knowing what the future state will look like
  • Lacking clarity on expectations
  • Wondering if you have the resources to succeed

This is where anxiety creeps in. And this is where change leaders must step up—not just for their teams, but for themselves.

Grounding: The Antidote to Uncertainty

In complex adaptive systems, every wise action shifts a pattern. Think of a kaleidoscope—each turn reveals infinite new possibilities.

Grounding helps us navigate uncertainty by:

  • Creating calm and stability
  • Focusing attention on the present moment
  • Clarifying what’s within our control

This weekend, I grounded myself in nature. A simple forest hike offered peaceful respite. It sharpened my focus on present joys and reminded me of the vastness and order in nature—even amid chaos.

Where we see destruction, nature reveals symmetry, fractals, and purpose.

Reframing Uncertainty as Opportunity

What if uncertainty isn’t a threat, but a portal? What if it’s the space where new fractals form—new perspectives, new possibilities, new growth?

As change leaders, we must model this mindset shift. We must help our teams see uncertainty not as a void, but as fertile ground for innovation.

Following a beautiful hike at the weekend, here are some of my thought leader take-aways on leading through uncertainty:

  • Acknowledge the discomfort: Normalize the anxiety that comes with ambiguity. You don’t have to pretend everything is ok, when situations are deeply uncertain.
  • Ground yourself and your team: Use mindfulness, nature, or meaningful rituals or mantras to stay present.
  • Reframe uncertainty: Shift the narrative from obstacle to opportunity.
  • Act with intention: Every small, wise action can shift even the most complex and chaotic systems.

Your Turn: What is One Shift you will make?

How do you choose to view uncertainty in your life?

  • Will you see obstacles—or opportunities?
  • What’s one shift you can make today to embrace possibility?

Let me know in the comments—or share your own grounding practices.