From Fear to Possibility: Shifting Our Mindset in Times of Uncertainty

Moving from a "wrong-first" mindset to one that embraces possibility and fosters collaboration.

This is not a political statement whatsoever but a statement on humanity.

Well, after a long week in Europe, waking up here on this Saturday morning in Edina, Minnesota, I had to get something off my chest. It's been brewing for a while, and the quiet of this morning feels like the right time to share it. This is not a political statement whatsoever but a statement on humanity.

Truth be told, this is something I catch myself doing all the time – being quick to judge and label things as "wrong." It's a habit I'm consciously trying to break, and that's what's been on my mind lately.

Uncertainty is the new normal, right? We're all feeling it – big picture stuff, personal life. And what's our go-to move? Slapping a "wrong" label on everything. Ideas, people, you name it. It's a habit that's doing way more harm than good, trust me. Instead of making things clearer, it's just making a mess. I like this recent quote form Umair Haque.

"We are currently living through a period of radical uncertainty. Old structures are collapsing; new ones are not yet in place. In such a time, the only certainty is the need for radical adaptability." - Umair Haque

The cost of this "wrong" obsession? Huge. Lately, it feels like every conversation is a battle of opinions. And the weapon of choice? "Wrong!" We're so busy proving each other wrong, we've forgotten how to actually figure things out together. It's a blame game that leads nowhere fast.

When someone says something you don't agree with? Bam! "Wrong!" That's usually how it goes. And guess what? Conversation over. Nobody wants to feel stupid or attacked. So they shut down. End of story. We dig our heels in, create sides, and suddenly, we're stuck. Can't move forward. Can't make the tough calls. And all because we had to be right in that moment. Think about all the good ideas that probably died because someone was too quick to say "wrong." Pretty dumb, right? I had a chance to listen to a great podcast featuring Naval Ravikant on the Modern Wisdom Podcast, one of my favorites. Link here

"The problem isn't that they see the world differently, it's that they insist on being right." - Naval Ravikant

And it's not just everyday chats. Leaders? They're just as bad, maybe worse. They're so terrified of screwing up and getting blasted as "wrong" that they freeze. No bold moves. No risks. Just a whole lot of playing it safe. Inertia? And you know what that gets us? Nowhere exciting. Innovation dies when everyone's too scared to be wrong. Makes sense, doesn't it?

Us regular folks? We're in the same boat. Scared to death of making a mistake, looking foolish, being told we're "wrong." So what do we do? We play it safe. Not speak. Shut up. Stick to what we know. Never try anything new. And then we wonder why we're not growing or finding cool new stuff. We wonder why we are not happy or fulfilled. It's a self-made trap, this fear of being wrong.

Look, uncertainty is the reality we're facing. So, sure, the instinct to be overly cautious is understandable. But let's be clear: it's also a major problem.

When the path forward isn't obvious, the absolute worst thing you can do is freeze out of fear of risk.

That hesitation becomes a wall. We block ourselves from finding new solutions, those potentially game-changing ideas, because we're so focused on avoiding what could go wrong. Sometimes, you've got to take a calculated leap.

Here's a thought: what if we flipped the script? You may have heard me use this before in a speech or two, but I really like it and hits home for me. Instead of always obsessing over "What if it goes wrong?", what if we also asked, "What if it goes right?" Crazy idea, I know. But think about it. What if actually working together created something solid for the long haul? What if being smart and innovative during the chaos actually led to massive breakthroughs? What if those moments that feel like a punch in the gut are actually the perfect setup for long-term wins? This isn't about ignoring the potholes; it's about also looking for the open road. It's about smart risks, not reckless ones.

It's funny, isn't it? Our "wrong" trigger finger is especially itchy when it comes to new tech, particularly AI. Something shiny and new comes along, and our first reaction is to point out all the ways it's not perfect or WRONG. We're quick to call it flawed or useless. But think about how we treat people. It is starting to feel the same way. We see them as wrong, we don’t give them time to learn and grow.

Think about self-service checkouts at grocery stores. Some folks hate them. They call them confusing, inefficient, or even a sign of the 'end of civilization'—you know, the kind of thing you hear in political speeches about grocery prices these days. But for others, it's a quick, convenient way to get their stuff and go.

It's not "wrong" or "right," it's just different.

And that's the point. We're too quick to label anything that doesn't fit our personal preference as fundamentally flawed, instead of just acknowledging that different people have different needs and ways of doing things.

Alright, enough talk about the problem. Let's get to a few things I jotted down that I want to try: how do we ditch this "wrong" reflex and actually get somewhere? Here are four things I think we can actively do to communicate better, make smarter choices, and, you know, not drive each other crazy:

1. Practice Active Listening: Truly engage with ideas rather than immediately dismissing them. Prioritize showing engagement and understanding.

When someone feels heard and understood, they are less likely to become defensive and shut down, even if their ideas differ from yours.

2. Use "I" Statements and Ask Better Questions: Replace declarations of "you're wrong" with phrases like, "I see this differently." Ask open-ended "why" questions to understand reasoning, and seek possibilities by asking, "What could go right here?" and "How else might we look at this?"

Framing your perspective as your own, rather than a direct contradiction, and asking genuine questions encourages continued dialogue instead of triggering a shutdown response.

3. Communicate Respectfully and Seek Understanding Over Winning: Communicate respectfully and nonjudgmentally (I think this is a word and if isn’t, should be, focusing on the issue, not personal attacks. Prioritize finding common ground over proving someone else wrong. Use "I" statements to express your perspective without blame. Acknowledge their viewpoint before presenting a different one.

Respectful communication and a genuine effort to understand their perspective can create a safer space for discussion, making individuals feel valued and less inclined to shut down.

4. Choose Words Carefully and Focus on Solutions: Choose words carefully, avoiding inflammatory language. Offer solutions instead of just pointing out flaws. Find common ground and be open to compromise. Take breaks if it gets too heated but dont shut down and leave it, it leave you empty and get us no where as people.

Careful word choice avoids triggering defensiveness, and focusing on solutions provides a constructive path forward, preventing the conversation from devolving into a battle where someone feels they must shut down to protect their position.

The key here is to actually understand where someone else is coming from, not just prove them wrong. It opens up a real conversation, instead of just shutting things down. And let's be honest, sometimes a little subtlety or even a well-timed joke (even though mine rarely hit) can go a long way in smoothing over those differences.

Picture this: what if our first instinct was to find a fix, not find fault? What if we actually got excited about trying new things, even if they might fail? What if we looked at the upside as much as the downside when making choices? Sounds like a recipe for making things a whole lot clearer and smarter, right?

It's a conscious choice, this. To stop with the automatic "no" and start looking for the "maybe." That's how we take all this uncertainty and actually turn it into a chance to learn, to do things differently, to grow.

Conclusion: Embrace Clarity Through Possibility

Look, we've all seen how this "wrong" obsession just creates a mess, keeps us stuck, and makes us miss out on good things. It's time for a reboot and based on this past week, I hope we start today. Less fear of the unknown, more curiosity about what could be.

Feeling that familiar urge to label something "wrong" today?

Try this instead: pause. Take a breath. Internally, ask yourself, "What if there's another way to see this?"

Externally, try actively listening to the other person, genuinely trying to understand their perspective. Or, instead of saying "That's wrong," try framing your view with an "I" statement. Notice how the conversation shifts, both in the room and in your own head.

Pay attention to how it leaves you feeling – more open? More connected? Less stuck?

Embracing this small experiment today could be the key to not just surviving this uncertainty, but actually thriving at the end of a very monumental week and to start one that is the beginning of a new world.

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Jason Averbook is a globally acclaimed expert in Digital Strategy, Generative AI, and the rapidly evolving future of work. Recognized among the Top 25 Human Capital and Work Thought Leaders worldwide, Jason has spent over three decades at the forefront of technology and business transformation. His core mission is inspiring organizations to transition from merely focusing on new technologies to authentically embracing a digital and human first mindset.

Jason is the author of two influential books and the founder of Leapgen and Knowledge Infusion, groundbreaking consultancies dedicated to shaping digital workplaces. Known for his engaging speaking style, practical insights, and visionary advice, Jason regularly energizes global audiences as a keynote speaker, strategic advisor, and educator.

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