VUCA

I am not an admirer of acronyms used left, right and center, in profession I am in. And that is more true with the title. Somehow from the day I heard, and that was much later than the day it was coined, I have almost hated it.

For those who are not privy to the treasure of acronyms used by these high IQ, high EQ and all other high Qs, professionals, "VUCA is an acronym - first used in 1987, drawing on the theories of Warren Bennis and Burt Nanus - to  describe or to reflect on the Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity of general conditions and situations." (Source: Wikipedia)

VUCA as a model was conceived to help Business and Organizational Leaders to develop capabilities to manage in challenging situations. Awareness of such situations and preparedness to face them, is used to enable Leaders in developing appropriate responses relating to decisions they make, plans they put in place, manage risks, manage change and solve problems. The expertise developed can shape organizations, capacity to:

1. Anticipate issues;
2. Understand consequences;
3. Appreciate maze of variable;
4. Prepare for alternative realities and challenges; and
5. Interpret and address opportunities.

I was not looking for advices in managing business challenges. I was evaluating situations which have developed in my life, recently.

I was trying to find solutions and responses to challenges having suddenly arisen, like loss of a dear one resulting emotional trauma to family and handling situation and bring semblance of normalcy, unexpected turn of physical health challenges faced by an extended family member leading to disruption of plans due to uncertainties looming in the air, fury of nature disrupting normal life, communication and movement, my own innate feelings of being responsible for well being of family members in such situations, etc.

Does this not mean individuals also need to be aware and prepared for such VUCA in normal personal, family and social life? Can there be a program for developing competencies and capabilities for handling VUCA in personal life?

I am looking for answers and will be grateful for help in whatever manner my wellwishers can provide.

Apathy or Over expectations!!

I normally look for information around topics, concepts, issues I come across in daily life, be it professional, social or familial. www has been a great source.

Over period of time, I seem to have developed uncanny ability to hit the most relevant page at the top of Google search. I wonder what else should I do, but seeking knowledge, wisdom, solutions!! Clifton says "Learner" in me is the issue. Some may even say I do not have any other job or work or responsibilities and that is the reason I pass time searching and surfing.

For some time now I have started sharing what I find. I feel that is my responsibility. I have created a broadcast group besides being member of a couple of professional and familial groups. Obviously these groups are ones I share my findings with. Clifton attributes this behavior to "Responsibility" talent theme, I am born with.

So far so good. I am doing what I like to do and what I am good at doing. It does not end there. At my age I should have digested Bhagwat Geeta's Chapter 2, Verse 47,

"कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन । मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भुर्मा ते संगोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ॥

अर्थात तेरा कर्म करने में ही अधिकार है, उसके फलों में कभी नहीं। इसलिए तू फल की दृष्टि से कर्म मत कर और न ही ऐसा सोच की फल की आशा के बिना कर्म क्यों करूं | ॥47॥"

As many say, preaching is easy. Practicing is not. I do expect outcomes or at the least acknowledgement.

I have, since the time I started sharing, observed from out of about 100 such recipients, a few and the same few, acknowledge, many of those few appreciate and some of those few discuss. But very large numbers remain unresponsive.

I wonder, have I chosen wrong cause, or wrong groups, or wrong means, or wrong times, or wrong topics?
Or is it that what I consider of interest, does not interest most?
Or do they have other more important or interesting tasks to be engaged in?

I will be worried only if apathy, lack of interest or motivation to improve and excel is the cause. And if so, I am responsible for motivating them to look at what I am sharing, since, as Rigved puts down:

"आ नो भद्रा: क्रतवो यन्तु विश्वत: |"
हमारे लि‍ए (न:) सभी ओर से (वि‍श्‍वत:) कल्‍याणकारी (भद्रा:) वि‍चार (क्रतव:) आयें (आयन्‍तु).
Let noble thoughts come to us from every side. - Rig Veda, I-89-i