How to Deal Effectively with Ambiguity at Work

Ambiguity represents uncertainty, doubt and change. At work, it means having to adjust and act quickly and often without having time to thoroughly study the impact a change may have on workers and customers alike. This requires that you respond faster than your competitors using the facts available to you. Dealing with ambiguity is a key requirement for career success. To learn how to manage change and make ambiguity work for you, consider these tips.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Dealing with ambiguity requires that you find ways to live with a margin for error. If you wait for everything to be perfect, you will lose your window of opportunity.

2. Prioritize everything and then focus on the few critical items that will generate success. Watch out for distractions and additional things that are “nice to do” but don’t add tremendous value.

3. Understand that in an ambiguous situation, you will not be able to complete one task before you must start another. Get comfortable with not tying a project or assignment’s loose ends.

4. Watch your stress level. Stress and anxiety tend to increase when dealing with ambiguity. Use every stress management technique you can think of to manage the ups and downs that occur with ambiguity at work.

5. Learn to anticipate the impact of future change on your profession or company. Read and research what is happening in your field continuously.

6. If you lead others, resist the urge to micro-manage in a misplaced effort to regain control. Ambiguity means a loss of control, so re-direct your efforts to understanding and managing any changes affecting your work unit.

Resources

• Christian Career Resources

[asksummer]

on 8/17/2008 Great informatin especially about stress.

[luv2blog]

on 8/9/2008 Good article.