A new book by Nathan Furr, Associate Professor of Strategy at INSEAD, and his co-author Susannah Harmon Furr, offers a science-backed guide for navigating and thriving through uncertainty—based on interviews and insights from world-renowned leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, artists, and creatives.
For most people, uncertainty causes fear, anxiety, and stress. But we forget that everything new, every change and possibility, always comes pared with uncertainty.
According to the authors, the only way to get to the possibilities we dream about is to embrace the unknown and the uncertainty —and their new book provides a practical way for anyone to do it.
In The Upside of Uncertainty: A Guide to Finding Possibility in the Unknown, Nathan and Susannah present a reassuringly practical approach to help us all develop the critical skill they call an uncertainty ability. Core to their approach are the Tools for Uncertainty, presented in four groups:
- Reframe – change your perspective from seeing uncertainty as a loss to seeing it creatively in terms of the possibilities
- Prime – prepare yourself using tools that help you be more courageous in when you do encounter uncertainty
- Do – unlock the rewarding possibilities hidden in the uncertainties you face, by taking action in ways that increase your chances of creating the future you want to live in
- Sustain – remind yourself why and how to keep going, or how to pivot when things don’t go as planned
According to Professor Nathan Furr, “In a fast-paced and ever-changing world, it’s inevitable that we will face uncertainty almost every other day. However, very few people know how to navigate the unknown well. Though these moments are difficult, they offer opportunities for personal growth, innovation, and creativity. Our new book aims to offer the inspiration you’ll need, and strategic tools and techniques for you to thrive through the inevitable plot twists in your life and career.”
Drawing on hundreds of interviews, as well as pioneering research in psychology, innovation, and behavioral economics, the authors provide dozens of tools—including mental models, techniques, and reflections—for seeing the upside of uncertainty, developing a vision for what to do next, and opening ourselves up to new possibilities. They also share their own life adventures and unconventional career choices, and their exuberant belief in the human ability for transilience – literally the capacity to ‘leap across’ – to embrace change.
The Upside of Uncertainty: A Guide to Finding Possibility in the Unknown is a timely and tactical guidebook for transforming uncertainty into a force for good.
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Appendix: Advance Praise for The Upside of Uncertainty:
"The Upside of Uncertainty is packed with insights into how we make life's most important decisions. It will most certainly change the trajectory of your career. It may even change your life." — Erin Meyer, professor, INSEAD; New York Times–bestselling coauthor, No Rules Rules
"Uncertainty is the very lifeblood of entrepreneurship. Great entrepreneurs not only cope with that uncertainty, they thrive in it. The Upside of Uncertainty should be required reading for anyone getting ready to dive into the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship." — David Hornik, founding partner, Lobby Capital
"The Upside of Uncertainty beautifully demonstrates that uncertainty is the essence of life—an engine that drives us forward and that leads to opportunities. Nothing could be more important!" — Tina Seelig, Executive Director, Knight-Hennessy Scholars Program; Professor of the Practice, Department of Management Science and Engineering, Stanford University
"The Upside of Uncertainty is a vigorously optimistic book!" — Piet Coelewij, Chairman, PMM Public Mediamarkt; Nonexecutive Director, Sonion; and guest lecturer, INSEAD
"The next generation of great leaders must learn to embrace uncertainty and leverage it for themselves and their organizations. The Upside of Uncertainty shows them the way." — Sam Yagan, Managing Director, Corazon Capital; cofounder, SparkNotes and OkCupid; and former CEO, Match.com
"Having worked with world leaders, it is clear to me that mastery in the face of uncertainty separates the good from the great. The Upside of Uncertainty is required for all who aspire to make an impact in today's world." — Saj-nicole Joni, CEO, Cambridge International Group
"Uncertainty is here to stay. The Upside of Uncertainty will help you learn to take advantage of it instead of fear it." — Alex Osterwalder, cofounder, Strategyzer
