Over recent weeks and months, I'm sure I'm not the only one watching the news, wondering what will happen next.
What impact will this have on geopolitics, humanity, and the ecosystem? And that’s before considering the effect decisions by our global leaders will have on the economy, businesses, and our lives. We are all interconnected, so there is no way to avoid impact.
In conversations, I’m noticing a growing sense of tension, uncertainty, and constant flux, which is showing up as busyness, scattered thoughts, and emotional rollercoasters. We’re not thinking clearly, reacting calmly, or presenting our best selves. What we’re experiencing is a reflection of a BANI world, a framework created by Jamais Cascio to explain our current reality.
Brittle: This refers to systems that seem strong but shatter under stress. For individuals, this might be a tipping point, a rapid change, or sustained pressure causing burnout or unpredictable behaviour.
Anxious: Heightened uncertainty and worry, caused by unpredictable events. What once things felt certain they are now unclear, leading to misinformation, indecision, and overwhelm.
Non-Linear: Situations are complex, with disproportionate or unpredictable outcomes, leading to confusion and stress.
Incomprehensible: Everything moves at a fast pace, leaving people overwhelmed with information, struggling to make decisions.
This framework doesn’t offer a quick fix, but it helps explain the current circumstances. So, how can we stay emotionally fit and agile in a BANI world?
Here’s what each stage requires:
Brittle systems need resilience, and the capacity and agility to withstand shocks.
Anxiety requires empathy, understanding and the willingness to be kind and forgiving
Non-linear requires improvisation, adaptation and to be creative under pressure
Incomprehensible requires us to check in with and work with our intuition, and find a way forward.
How then can we personally take care of ourselves, become emotionally fit and able to work in this current environment?
1. Build Resilience
Resilience is fostered by habits like sleeping well, eating well, exercising, and making time to reflect. Conduct a selfaudit: On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate yourself in these areas? What adjustments can you make to operate at your best? When should you pause and to improve effectiveness? What changes throughout your day would help you?
2. Offer Empathy
Reflect on the pressures you’re facing and their physical and mental impact. Are you recognising this? Do your colleagues and family understand? What conversations could help share this burden? Can you be kinder to yourself and seek help when needed? Who in your team needs you to offer empathy and understanding to them?
3. Step Back, Review the Big Picture, and Collaborate
Remember, you can’t solve everything alone. Step back and consider the bigger picture. Gather feedback and insights from those around you. Creativity doesn’t always mean novelty – what seems “business as usual” to one person might be ‘innovation’ to another. Sharing ideas can enhance creativity.
4. Act with Integrity and Stay True to Your Values
Check in with your intuition, recognize when something feels right or wrong, and ensure your actions align with your values. This will allow you to lead with integrity and make decisions based on what you know. You can always adjust them later.
To be emotionally agile, we must recognize, accept, and be curious about our emotions as they occur. This awareness gives us the freedom to choose how we act. Under pressure or stress, our prefrontal cortex -the thinking part of our brain – loses oxygen, which impacts decisionmaking. Breathing, building resilience, practicing empathy, and stepping back help restore clarity, allowing us to make better decisions.
Annabel is an Executive and Team Coach, Leadership Facilitator and Coach Supervisor. If you would value a thinking space, why not reach our to Annabel for a chat via LinkedIn, annabel@successfultraining.co.uk, or visit
www.successfultraining.co.uk