More than just a managerial acronym to describe the nature of today's business environment, VUCA (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous) originated with students at the U.S. Army War College to illustrate the volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity of our world after the Cold War. With unmatched grit, fierce acumen, and adaptable communication capabilities, our veterans, and those currently on active duty, are VUCA-specialists. In navigating constant churn, high stakes situations, and scaling organizations, our troops are more than just strong men and women-- they are effective leaders with leadership lessons we can apply into our own lives.
1. Embrace change by asking questions with an open mind - 23rd Secretary of the Air Force Deborah James
Why is the ability to ask the right questions so critical to staying ahead of disruptions and launching innovations? I posed this question to Deborah Lee James, one of the most brilliant leaders I know. As the 23rd Secretary of the US Air Force and a former chief executive with SAIC and United Technologies and author of forthcoming book, Aim High, she has led some of the most cutting-edge innovations in the world. She does this through creating an inclusive culture that leverages diversity.
“By asking questions and having an open mind allows you to pivot, be agile and stay 1, 2, or 3 steps ahead of that change.”- Deborah Lee James, 23rd Secretary of the US Air Force.
2. Leaders lead with empathy - Lieutenant General Nadja West
The US Army’s highest ranking medical officer, Lieutenant General Nadja West is the 44th Army Surgeon General. In her role, she strategically addresses medical issues that have military and national security significance in addition to possessing deep medical expertise. She is also the highest ranking female officer graduate of the US Military Academy and the first African-American female Major General and Lieutenant General. While she was at Duke for our Fuqua/Coach K Center on Leadership and Ethics (COLE) Summit, she shares about one of the most important qualities leaders have to have.
“The more you have empathy for [those you lead], the more they know that you care about them, and then they will do anything for you to get the mission done.”- Lieutenant General Nadja West, 44th Army Surgeon General
3. Leaders are connectors - 42nd Surgeon General Eric Schoomaker
Effective leadership in today’s complex and rapidly changing world means leaders have to think in terms of partnerships and supporting organizational team members. I caught up with retired 3 Star General Eric Schoomaker, the 42nd Surgeon General of the Army, at the Duke University Feagin Scholars Program. In this 2 minute video, he shares his insights for the mindset of the leader of the future vs that of the past. How will you lead?
“The modern leader doesn’t live in the middle of the whole puzzle, but in the junctures. They need to know as much about their adjoining partners as they know about their own puzzle.”- 3 Star General Eric Schoomaker, 42nd Surgeon General of the Army
4. Don't take purpose for granted - General Robert B. Brown
“A lot of people assume that because you are together, you are going to form a team. You have to have a purpose for the team. You have to establish a trust among the team. That takes hard work.”- 4 Star General Robert E. Brown, Commander of the US Army Pacific. General Brown is known for his ability to build quick trust across different cultures and those with vastly diverse backgrounds than his own. He is also a brilliant innovator.
5. Inclusiveness is key to solving complex problems, General (Ret.) Martin Dempsey
“The way to get through competition and thrive is through radical inclusion.” - General (Ret.) Martin De. Dempsey, Sr. Fellow with the Fuqua/Coach K Center on Leadership & Ethics and a Rubenstein Fellow at Duke University. When he served as the 18th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he shifted the culture from one of command and control to one of mission command, in which individuals throughout the ranks are empowered to act. In his book Radical Inclusion, co-authored with Ori Brafman, he writes of the need in a VUCA world to focus on the why and the what (outcomes) and distributed the how to individuals.
6. Leadership is focusing not just on results, but how you get those results, Rear Admiral (Ret.) Peg Klein
How do leaders develop their “ethical muscle memory” and why is this especially important today? Retired 2 Star Admiral Peg Klein, Dean of Leadership & Ethics at the U.S. Naval War College shares her insight in this 1 minute video.
7. A strong culture requires servant's heart, good bedside manner, and the Socratic method, Rear Admiral (Ret.) Jon Yuen
Why are having a servant’s heart, good bedside manner and applying the Socratic method key to creating a good culture? Retired 2 Star Admiral Jon Yuen is one of the foremost experts on supply chain in the world and among the wisest and humble leaders one will ever meet. He is the 47th Chief of the US Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP). NAVSUP handles getting fuel and food to the fleet, including submarines and aircraft carriers when they are out to sea. Here is his 1 minute video explanation of those 3 elements of culture.
8. Building a team requires trust and communication, Admiral Bill Moran
In this 30-second video, 4 Star Admiral Bill Moran, Vice Chief of Naval Operations and second highest ranking officer in our US Navy, explains how to build a team and create a learning mindset among young people.
How will you lead in a VUCA world?
