Coaching in a BANI World

Once upon a time, not so long ago we spoke of VUCA environments.  We understood that our workplaces were becoming increasingly volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous.  We sought to build agility.

However a new term has emerged, that highlights the emotional impacts of our uncertain world on the nervous systems and emotional well-being of our people.

The term BANI, first coined by futurologist Jamais Cascio in 2020, stands for brittle, anxious, non-linear and incomprehensible.   It recognises that even those institutions which may appear to be solid can experience internal fragility, which then reflects and results in anxiety. 

Renegotiating how we work, where we work and how we live can bring up numerous tensions.  We wrestle with competing priorities and values, or baulk at threats to our identity.

In addition, so much of what is happening in the world at the moment seems unpredictable. As people react from fear-based instincts, we see decisions that defy logic or comprehension – particularly geo-politically. 

So, how can we learn to contain our workforce and our leaders in the face of such anxiety?  How do we support each other? 

One way is through the creation of safe conversations that explore emotional hopes, fears and concerns. Conscious conversations that allow us to read and mitigate risk, in a more measured way. 

Coaching is the most powerful intervention I know for supporting leaders, teams and people to process what’s going on for them – and in the world around them.  Coaching supports people to respond rather than just react.

How?  Here are three practical skills for ameliorating the impacts of a BANI world.

1. In a non-linear world we need to be able to hold multiple perspectives simultaneously.  This means moving out of our own orbit long enough to enter another’s worldview.  
2. We need to understand our own nervous systems and what triggers us, in order to regulate our behaviour.
3. And only then, once we have attended to the emotional brain, we can begin to realistically assess risk, find opportunities and engage others in a path forward.

READY TO BUILD YOUR COACHING SKILLS?

In October, we are offering two programs that build invaluable coaching skills for BANI environments.

While many of the tensions I’ve described above are contained within, others spill over into interpersonal conflicts. If this sounds familiar check out our next CINERGY^(R) Conflict Management Coaching program introducing powerful strategies for managing internal conflicts and workplace disputes.

Or, if leading teams, working with leaders and broader social and organisational transformation calls – our internationally accredited Executive & Systems Coaching Program commences with Module 101: Coaching with the E¹ME²RGE³ Model.

With over two decades experience, bringing neuroscience and systems thinking to the fields of leadership development and culture change, we know the power of building coaching organisations.  Allow us to share that experience with you.