Uncertainty Rules?

Uncertainty is currently a hot topic. As our societies have become more complex, the level of uncertainty has increased and people find they have to deal with fast changing, rapidly evolving situations and circumstances which do not fit their previous experience, where planning is difficult and where the outcomes are uncertain. The unexpected has become the norm. It can be difficult to know how best to deal with this increasingly uncertain world, Uncertainty can lead to us become anxious and feeling stressed - and we try our best to reduce it, It's only too easy to become impatient and just want to get things 'sorted' regardless of the consequences. We focus on protecting ourselves from anxiety rather than looking for long term sustainable solutions to the complex challenges we face. This book starts by explaining why uncertainty has increased, the challenges this brings and why it is likely to continue to be a feature of all our lives over the 21st century . Drawing on the analogy of navigating through mountainous terrain, the authors describe an original, straightforward, logical, and proactive way of dealing with uncertainty that helps people take personal responsibility, think more positively, and take advantage of the opportunities that uncertainty brings. The book is timely and has implications for the way we educate and develop people generally. It draws on the extensive experience of the authors and is brought vividly to life by case studies and personal examples. It is relevant internationally for the general reader.

I enjoyed the work. It is clearly refined in its scope and style, and aims for a particular type of readership. There is a balance of evidence-based advice and experience-based observation, and an appropriate smattering of anecdotes and other accessible devices. I really do appreciate the authors' ambition to communicate valid psychological ideas in such a format - Professor Brian Hughes, National University of Ireland, Galway

Dr Richard Plenty is the Managing Director of the international organisation and leadership development practice, This Is... and is an experienced organisational psychologist. He is a Visiting Fellow at Trinity College, Dublin in the Department of Psychology. Terri Morrissey is the Chairperson of the international organisation and leadership development practice This Is... and is an executive coach with the London Business School, lecturer on the Trinity College Dublin Master's Programme on Risk and Systems Change.