A BOLD Mindset: the Key to Thriving in Uncertainty
According to Benjamin Franklin, there are only two certainties in life: death and taxes. That leaves space for a whole lot of uncertainty- both the kind we choose and the kind thrust upon us.
The uncertainty we choose could be trying something new, going on adventures, changing careers, starting a business, or developing a new strategy. The uncertainty forced upon us arises from external factors such as the actions of others, shifts in the economy, changes in climate, or unexpected health challenges.
Regardless of how it arises, uncertainty contains both opportunities and threats. To thrive, we must maximse opportunites and mitigate threats. The key lies in cultivating the right mindset. And this is where the BOLD mindset comes in.
What is a bold mindset?
Whether in our personal lives or within the teams we lead. At its core, a bold mindset consists of three essential elements:
CURIOSITY
COURAGE
ANTIFRAGILITY
Curiosity
Curiosity is a strong desire to know or learn—an intrinsic motivation to explore and discover. It drives us to acquire knowledge, solve problems, and adapt to new circumstances. Studies link curiosity to our survival as a species, underscoring its importance.
In times of uncertainty, fear and indecision often dominate. It’s tempting to cling to the familiar—the predictable islands of safety in an ocean of the unknown. But standing still on a shrinking island is a losing strategy.
Curiosity invites us to be proactive rather than reactive or a victim of the situation. To lean into uncertainty by asking questions, seeking knowledge, and uncovering hidden possibilities. It transforms ambiguity into opportunity.
“Curiosity is the engine of achievement.”
Sir Ken Robinson
When Satya Nadella became CEO of Microsoft in 2014, the company was struggling with internal silos and a defensive culture. He implemented several key strategies that turned the company around. One strategy was shifting from a know-it-all to a learn-it-all culture. In uncertain times, leaders in particular often feel pressure to have all the answers. A curious mindset shifts the focus from needing to ‘know’ everything to being open and willing to explore and learn.
How to Cultivate Curiosity
1. Ask Open-Ended Questions: Replace statements with questions. “We can’t do that,” becomes, “What might make that possible?” or “What haven’t we tried yet?”
2. Embrace Not Knowing: Model vulnerability by admitting when you don’t have all the answers. This creates space for exploration and input from those around you.
3. Encourage Diverse Perspectives: Bring together people with different experiences and viewpoints to generate more creative solutions.
4. Adopt a Beginner’s Mindset: Approach challenges as if encountering them for the first time. This helps you see opportunities and possibilities that routine thinking might overlook.
5. Create a Culture of Experimentation: Test ideas and learn from failures. Give yourself permission to try different things, acknowledging they might not work out. Focus on the value of discovery over immediate success.
Alan Watts said: “By replacing fear of the unknown with curiosity, we open ourselves up to an infinite stream of possibility.”
Courage
If curiosity sparks exploration, courage is the fuel that creates and sustains action. Courage allows us to make decisions without guarantees, to step into the unknown, and to inspire others to do the same. Courage takes us forward even when the path is unclear and the stakes are high.
Courage is not the absence of fear: it is action in the face of fear
Courage is not a trait we either have or don’t have: it is something we develop
Courage is taking smart risks: it is not about being reckless
Courage is staying true to our values: acting in alignment with our values and integrity, even when it is difficult to do so
In times of uncertainty, a lack of courage can lead to paralysis, which can lead to stagnation. The reluctance to take risks and decisive action keeps us stuck and erodes trust and confidence. We don’t innovate and create a competitive advantage. We don’t grow.
Developing Courage
Start small: courage is like a muscle—it grows with use. Begin with small, low-stakes acts of courage, such as speaking up in a meeting, trying something new, and facing fear by taking a small step toward it.
Reframe fear: instead of seeing fear as a signal to stop, interpret it as a sign you’re stepping toward something meaningful. Ask: What’s the worst that could happen? How can I stop that from happening? What’s the best that could happen?
Focus on the ‘Why’: courage is easier to muster when tied to a purpose. Clarify the mission behind your actions. When the stakes are meaningful, the risk feels worth it. Have your North Star.
Learn from others: surround yourself with courageous people and seek examples of people who have acted courageously. Their stories and actions can inspire.
Reflect on past wins: reflect on times you faced challenges and succeeded. Use this to strengthen your belief in your ability to act courageously again.
When it comes to the teams we work in, an environment where risks can be taken without fear of punishment is essential for courage to thrive.
Courage is about making hard decisions, taking calculated risks, and stepping forward when others hesitate. Courage alone isn’t enough, we also need systems and approaches to flourish in the face of challenges and setbacks.
Antifragility
The term ‘antifragile’ popularised by Nassim Nicholas Taleb takes us beyond resilience. While resilient systems resist shock, antifragile systems improve through disruption, like an immune system.
It's the difference between:
Fragile: breaks under stress (like glass)
Resilient: resists stress (like rock)
Antifragile: gains from stress (like a muscle)
“Antifragility is beyond resilience or robustness. The resilient resists shocks and stays the same; the antifragile gets better.”
Nassim Nicholas Taleb
When we are antifragile we:
View challenges as opportunities for growth
Design systems and strategies that become more robust under pressure
Transform setbacks into stepping stones.
Antifragility represents the ultimate competitive advantage in an unpredictable world by learning to adapt and prosper in adversity. By embracing challenges as opportunities to evolve, we have a culture of continuous improvement.
Most importantly, when we have an antifragile mindset, we learn to trust that we can respond, adapt and grow. We don’t fear the unknown and uncertainty because we are confident we can handle whatever is thrown at us.
“Crises, setbacks, obstacles—these will certainly be met by any executive in the course of his career. The measure of a person in such circumstances is not only how they cope with adversity, but also how they turns it to their advantage. Business is always a battle—for sales, improvements, efficiency —and an executive must lead very much as a general would to win.”
Paul Getty
By developing systems, mindsets, and approaches that improve through challenge, we can transform uncertainty from a threat into opportunities and learning experiences.
Putting it into practice
Implementing the bold mindset isn't about grand gestures, but consistent, intentional practices.
The first step is staying curious, asking questions and keeping an open mind.
Cultivate the courage to turn our curiosity into action, take calculated risks, be decisive and overcome fears.
When faced with the inevitable challenges and setbacks, find a way to grow and strengthen through them.
By adopting a BOLD mindset, we don’t just face uncertainty—we seek it, we thrive within it, transforming the unknown into a playground of opportunity.
Sarah