TODAY’S NEWS. TOMORROW’S INSIGHTS.A daily newsletter from McKinsey & Company
Edited by Katherine Tam Digital Editor, New York
The infinite game. Dealing with the unknown can be stressful, but one way to face uncertainty with greater calm is to get the most expansive view of what’s possible, according to entrepreneur Susannah Furr and business school professor Nathan Furr. One idea is to stop focusing on trying to win, and instead play an “infinite game” by constantly testing boundaries and rules. One example involves a legendary rivalry between two Tour de France cyclists. Although one of the cyclists never won the race—which he entered 14 times—his love of riding endeared him to the crowd. [HBR]
Don’t quit. The idea of leaving one’s day job to chase a more exciting side hustle can be enticing. But a smarter move might be to take one tiny step at a time toward an uncertain goal, say authors Nathan and Susannah Furr. Research shows that innovators who keep their regular jobs while spending time on a side project are more likely to succeed than those who quit their nine-to-five to pursue a new job full time. Instead of attempting a new endeavor all at once, break up big goals into specific actions, and regularly take stock to make sure that the project is paying off. [Fast Company]
Into the unknown. Humans are wired to fear uncertainty, but it’s helpful to remember that “uncertainty is the portal to possibility,” say Nathan and Susannah Harmon Furr, authors of The Upside of Uncertainty: A Guide to Finding Possibility in the Unknown. Every innovator confronts uncertainty eventually and therefore must be willing to step into the unknown. Like any other capability, individuals, teams, and organizations need to develop the ability to face uncertainty.
A tool kit for uncertainty. In a changing world, “if you believe that everything is up to you and totally within your control, you are going to spend your whole life stressing out,” says Nathan Furr. “Instead, focus on how you can be the best version of yourself and make the greatest contribution to the world,” Furr adds. To help leaders navigate uncertainty with greater resilience, the Furrs organized more than 30 tools. Learn some of the ways that successful innovators, creators, and designers deal with uncertainty.
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