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Understand techniques, strategies, & systems used to foster self-understanding & enhance relationships with others. 2.12 Developing a tolerance for ambiguity. What is Tolerance?. Tolerance – the capacity to accept deviation from the norm
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Understand techniques, strategies, & systems used to foster self-understanding & enhance relationships with others 2.12 Developing a tolerance for ambiguity
What is Tolerance? • Tolerance – the capacity to accept deviation from the norm • Being able to accept something or someone who is different than what you consider normal • Respecting that person’s rights and opinions blog.adw.org
What is Ambiguity? • Ambiguity – doubtfulness or uncertainty of meaning or intention • Teacher gives you an assignment but no instructions on how to start or complete • The possibility of interpreting an expression in two or more distinct ways • Your boss always greets you with a smile but today he or she hasn’t even acknowledged you are around • You did something to make them mad with you • They are having a bad day • Something happened before you got to work to upset them
What is a Tolerance for Ambiguity? • Entrepreneurs are willing to forge ahead with what they feel is the right direction while dealing with the inner voice telling them they could be wrong • Entrepreneurs have a strong tolerance for ambiguity • The entrepreneurial traits of self-confidence, optimism, and problem solving develop this strong tolerance. flawlessconfidence.com
How Do They Do It? • Entrepreneurs develop a tolerance for ambiguity by: • Gathering all information possible • Brainstorming assumptions to close the gaps in information they collected • Keeping those assumptions to themselves • Considering alternate assumptions • Devising a plan for testing their assumptions • Executing their plan
Factors Impacting Tolerance for Ambiguity • Nature and upbringing • How much tolerance have you experienced in your life? • Have you been exposed to unfamiliar environments where you had to adapt? • Education • What level of education have you had? • Did your education set defined rules or were you encouraged to “think outside the box?” • Early career experiences • Self-confidence • Higher self-esteem and confidence leads to a higher tolerance • Optimism Picture from: midwestprogress.org
How to Further Develop a Tolerance for Ambiguity • To build up your tolerance for ambiguity remember: • Even in the toughest situation, you can always control your response to a situation. Your reaction is your choice. • Recognizing what you can and can’t control will increase the likelihood of a successful outcome and lower your anxiety eknazar.com
Managing Ambiguity in the Business World 10 principles that provide a rule of thumb for managing ambiguity in the business environment: • Organize your thoughts • Maintain a professional attitude • Refrain from making judgments about others • Keep an open mind • Don’t make assumptions or jump to conclusions • Keep emotions in check • Be slow to take offense • Give others the benefit of the doubt • Keep control of yourself • Ask what your immediate purpose is, what is the scope of the problem, what are the constraints on your response? jr.tfs.ca