Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous (VUCA)

The followings are shared by our friend from Japan

A military term coined by the Americans to describe a military situation which is difficult to plan strategy for, recently adopted by business community to describe the state of events that have hit us since sub-prime collapse.

V = Volatility　 : Continuous Whitewater in Organizations
U = Uncertainty　: Degrees of Confidence in Future State
C = Complexity　 : Ever Increasing Complexity of Organization & Processes
A = Ambiguity　 : Black and White Yield to Grey and Beyond

The leadership forum reminded me of the importance of persevering and keeping focused on the prize while remaining open to new possibilities.

It's easy to say we should be teachable and humble, especially when you consider that the world we live in today is captured very aptly in the acronym VUCA: volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous.

But exceptional governance is captured in the face of ambiguity, inspiration and pragmatism.

—Tesse Akpeki, "Boards must focus on what is right," Third Sector, March 7, 2007