Embracing Uncertainty: The Illusion of Control

A few years ago, I had the pleasure of visiting the vibrant and lively country of India. As a white businessman, I was treated with a surprising level of hospitality, almost as if I were mistaken for someone of nobility, like the grandson of the 1st Earl of Halifax. This experience began with being whisked away from the bustling chaos of Mumbai airport in a small, immaculately polished black sedan.

About thirty minutes into our journey, we found ourselves on the gleaming new stretch of tarmac that was the road from Mumbai to Pune. It was around this point that I began to notice, with mounting alarm, that our vehicle seemed to have its accelerator pedal removed and progress was achieved by leaning on a very enthusiastic horn. The road itself was a scene of chaotic splendour, populated with overturned buses, ox carts driven with surprising zeal, and cars colliding and disintegrating like a toddler had flung a box of Lego across a stone floor.

Photo by Karthik Chandran on Unsplash

In a voice I hadn't heard from myself since the turbulent years of puberty, I tentatively asked my driver if he might, perhaps, be so kind as to slow down just a touch. It was a request peppered with the sort of nervous politeness one uses when asking a lion if it might consider not eating you. He responded with a brave smile, clearly baffled by my death grip on the seat, and gave me an agreeable head waggle, a gesture that somehow both reassured and terrified me.

Resigned to my fate, I did the only thing a sensible Englishman could do: I closed my eyes and hoped to wake up not to the voice of a celestial being, but to the gentle sound of a hotel porter opening the car door.

To my great relief, I arrived at my destination relatively unscathed. The moment I stepped into the hotel lobby, I blurted out, perhaps with a bit too much haste, a question to the receptionist about the local driving habits. Why, I asked, did everyone drive as if they were immune to mortal consequences? With a tone of seasoned familiarity, he replied, "That's because we all are, sir. When it's your time to leave this life, it's your time."

And with that, dear reader, I learned that in India, life’s unpredictability is accepted with a philosophical shrug, and the roads are just another stage for the great cosmic dance.

This brings me to the core of today's discussion: the illusion of control. Let’s begin with a simple thought exercise. Imagine an X and Y axis; the X axis represents our intended path, while the Y axis represents random events that divert us from it. Now, think about your daily commute. Plot the path you planned versus the one you actually took. Most people describe a jagged line, deviating from their intended course due to unexpected events: a sick cat, icy roads, or unexpected traffic.

These deviations are a natural part of life. Our plans are constantly disrupted by unpredictable factors, reminding us that control is, to a large extent, an illusion. It's a sobering thought that, statistically, any day could be your last.

So, what does this mean for our lives and organisations? Often, we structure our environments around the illusion of control. Our language is filled with terms like "directors," "officers," "controllers," and "planners." We gauge success by how closely we stick to plans and schedules. However, this focus on control is misguided. True leadership understands that life is full of uncertainties and that flexibility, rather than rigid control, is key.

There is a noble, deeply human response to the imposition of control: we resist. Like a flower growing through a crack in the pavement, life finds a way to express itself. For leaders, this means setting a tone that values adaptability and understands the role of chance.

This brings us to getting into a mindset that embraces the unpredictability of life. Contrary to popular motivational advice, we cannot control events or outcomes entirely. We cannot force a job offer or win a race through sheer willpower alone. What we can control are our thoughts and actions. As leaders, our mindset and behaviour set the tone for the entire organisation.

Understanding the role of chance can be liberating. People who accept the inevitability of being knocked off course often find themselves happier and more resilient. They don't see these deviations as failures, but as natural variations in life's journey. This acceptance can lead to better performance and satisfaction.

However, embracing uncertainty doesn't mean abandoning structure altogether. Reliable processes and safe practices are still essential—much like avoiding driving an ox cart in the fast lane of a motorway.

If you're intrigued by the concept of variation, I highly recommend exploring the work of Dr. William Edwards Deming. It's a valuable way to spend your time, offering insights into the nature of chance and control.

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Michael can currently be found lying in a darkened room, contemplating the mysteries of life