The typical response of people when faced with uncertainty is to stop their work but successful founders use uncertainty to begin their work. The startup environment requires entrepreneurs to wait until they have complete information which results in their eventual demise. The top entrepreneurs use unknown factors as their competitive edge because they transform these elements into operational advantages for their business.
Moving Before They Are Ready
Founders achieve clarity through their actions because they proceed to execute their plans. The team proceeds to develop a minimum viable product because they want to evaluate market reactions rather than waiting for full business plan completion. The initial steps forward create the first momentum that drives progress.
Treating Guesses as Experiments
Uncertainty exists because there are multiple questions which remain unanswered. Founders turn these into experiments. They conduct a test to see if 10 people will buy this today instead of saying they think people want this product. The experiment delivers essential findings which enable the team to work at an increased speed.
Embracing “Micro-Pivots”
Founders avoid committing to a 5-year plan when they encounter situations which lack clear direction. They make small, quick adjustments. The team uses micro pivots to maintain their balance while moving forward during times when their surroundings experience sudden changes.
Focusing on the “Next Best Step”
The presence of major uncertainties creates a situation which freezes people in their tracks. Founders survive by narrowing their vision. They ignore the “what ifs” of next year and focus entirely on the one thing they can control in the next 24 hours. Small successes provide the base for people to develop confidence which enables them to take larger risks.
Building a “Bias for Action”
The first person who takes action during a crisis situation establishes new operational standards. Founders cultivate a habit of choosing “do” over “discuss.” The company maintains continuous progress because its employees practice this inclination to act even when their path forward remains uncertain.
Communicating a Simple Vision
The founder establishes the North Star for their team when the members experience fear about the unknown. The team maintains tactical flexibility because they need to Mondo flexibility while following the simple and unchanging ultimate goal. The team remains focused on the Why element while they determine their How approach to work.
Learning in Public
Founders share their uncertainties with customers instead of keeping them hidden. The team creates user co-creation through feedback which they obtain from users during the entire development process. The organization builds a community which actively participates in preserving its existence.
Controlling the Narrative
Negative rumors will emerge when uncertainty exists about the situation. Founders succeed by delivering an effective story which draws audiences into their narrative. The team sees their unknown situation as an adventure which they need to handle or as a problem which requires resolution.
Forgiving Themselves for Mistakes
Guilty feelings will prevent you from maintaining your progress. The founders understand that their current choices without knowledge will lead to future decision mistakes. The team practices fast failure to obtain knowledge which they will later use to move forward without any need to reflect on past experiences.
Staying Close to the Customer
People who question their economic understanding will receive solutions from their customers. Founders need to spend extra time with users because their business environment currently shows high levels of uncertainty.
Cultivating Emotional Resilience
People need to develop their mental capacity to maintain momentum. Founders maintain their mindset control break when their surroundings enter disordered times. The team achieves their function as the company anchor by maintaining composure which enables business functions to continue forward progress.
