VUCA stands for volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity, and is a common concept in the military. The business sector now embraces Vuca to characterise the challenging and rapidly changing conditions in today’s world.
Volatility concerns the speed and unpredictability of change that makes it difficult to plan for the future. Uncertainty involves a lack of predictability about future outcomes. Uncertain situations are characterised by the absence of clear information, making decision-making challenging. Com-plexity describes the intricate and interconnected nature of problems and systems today. Ambiguity involves a lack of clarity or understanding due to multiple interpretations or perspectives. Vuca challenges traditional leadership models that rely on predictability and stability in a world where patterns are recognisable. In a Vuca world, leaders must prioritise adaptability over predictability.
