#571 How to Get Better at Holding Uncertainty at Work episode artwork

EPISODE · Jun 30, 2026 · 40 MIN

#571 How to Get Better at Holding Uncertainty at Work

from Squiggly Careers · host The Squiggly Career

Uncertainty isn't going anywhere. So what if the goal wasn't to get rid of it, but to get better at holding it? In this episode, Helen and Sarah borrow brilliance from a feeling and dive deep into one of the most relevant topics in work and careers right now. Drawing on Margaret Heffernan's Embracing Uncertainty, Sam Conniff and Katherine Templar-Lewis's Uncertainty Toolkit, and a brilliant HBR article, they explore what it really means to develop the capacity to hold uncertainty, and what your default response to it reveals about you. 🎯 What You'll Learn – Why the goal isn't uncertainty to certainty, but uncertainty to the capacity to hold – How to find your own uncertainty tolerance score (with an AI prompt on the podsheet to help) – Why leaders feel more pressure than most to appear decisive, and what the research says about that – How to use a simple matrix to plot your uncertainty by impact and duration, and respond differently depending on which quadrant you're in – Why patience might be the most underrated skill in uncertain times, and how Helen and Sarah both score themselves on it – What it means to reframe uncertainty as opportunity rather than threat For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email: [email protected] Need some more squiggly career support? 1. Download our free career tools: https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/ 2. Sign up for our Skills Sprints: https://www.amazingif.com/squigglysprints/ 3. Sign up for our Squiggly Careers Newsletter, a weekly summary of the latest squiggly career tools: https://bit.ly/squigglynewsletter_pod 4. Order our new book Learn Like a Lobster: https://www.amazingif.com/books/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Uncertainty isn't going anywhere. So what if the goal wasn't to get rid of it, but to get better at holding it? In this episode, Helen and Sarah borrow brilliance from a feeling and dive deep into one of the most relevant topics in work and careers right now. Drawing on Margaret Heffernan's Embracing Uncertainty, Sam Conniff and Katherine Templar-Lewis's Uncertainty Toolkit, and a brilliant HBR article, they explore what it really means to develop the capacity to hold uncertainty, and what your default response to it reveals about you. 🎯 What You'll Learn – Why the goal isn't uncertainty to certainty, but uncertainty to the capacity to hold – How to find your own uncertainty tolerance score (with an AI prompt on the podsheet to help) – Why leaders feel more pressure than most to appear decisive, and what the research says about that – How to use a simple matrix to plot your uncertainty by impact and duration, and respond differently depending on which quadrant you're in – Why patience might be the most underrated skill in uncertain times, and how Helen and Sarah both score themselves on it – What it means to reframe uncertainty as opportunity rather than threat For questions about Squiggly Careers or to share feedback, please email: [email protected] Need some more squiggly career support? 1. Download our free career tools: https://www.amazingif.com/toolkit/ 2. Sign up for our Skills Sprints: https://www.amazingif.com/squigglysprints/ 3. Sign up for our Squiggly Careers Newsletter, a weekly summary of the latest squiggly career tools: https://bit.ly/squigglynewsletter_pod 4. Order our new book Learn Like a Lobster: https://www.amazingif.com/books/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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#571 How to Get Better at Holding Uncertainty at Work

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Leading From All Sides Abbie Mirata Discover the various styles of leadership, from leading at the forefront to steering from behind, rising to the top or empowering from the bottom. We'll explore horizontal and vertical leadership, leading through your brand, and even leading in your most intimate relationships. Join me in engaging conversations with special guests who are leaders in their careers, communities, and families. Gain insights, perspectives, and invaluable lessons that challenge traditional notions of what it means to lead. What Works? Sophie Scott, UCL PALS Prof Sophie Scott, Director of the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London, discusses life and science and careers with her colleagues from the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences at UCL, and beyond. The aim of the show is to highlight some amazing scientists, and explore their journeys through science and life, and find out what works for them. Travel Nursing & Allied Life TravCon: The Travelers Conference Travel Nursing & Allied Life is a podcast about all things related to Healthcare Travel. TravCon and The Gypsy Nurse team bring you current information about the healthcare travel industry so you can stay updated and connected throughout the year. TravCon is here to help guide and connect all healthcare professionals from all specialties, navigate their travel careers, and stay current with the trends and changes.Don't forget the Travelers Conference takes place 9/22/24 -9/25/24 at the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas! Visit TravCon.org for more information! Artrepreneur Podcast art business journal You can learn a lot from listening to creative leaders talk about what made them successful. Every artist, designer and creative entrepreneur has a unique story about their journey to find professional success that can help inspire and guide yours. From happy accidents to dealing with adversity, industry innovators share their experiences, insights and advice to help you navigate your career and find your own path. What do they all have in common? They never stop learning. Neither will you when you listen to the Artrepreneur Creative Careers Podcast.

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This episode was published on June 30, 2026.

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Uncertainty isn't going anywhere. So what if the goal wasn't to get rid of it, but to get better at holding it? In this episode, Helen and Sarah borrow brilliance from a feeling and dive deep into one of the most relevant topics in work and...

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