For years, the term VUCA—Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous—seemed to capture the turbulence leaders face. Yet lately, VUCA feels outdated. Enter BANI: Brittle, Anxious, Non-Linear, Incomprehensible, a framework introduced by futurist Jamais Cascio. BANI feels more aligned with today’s chaotic reality—climate change, mental health crises, inequality, and global instability, to name a few.

BANI is more than a new acronym. It shifts our understanding of disruption from something external to something internal, focusing on how we perceive and navigate the world’s fragility. So, what exactly does BANI mean for leaders?

Brittle refers to things that seem strong but can shatter unexpectedly. Long-established organizations, ecosystems, and technologies may feel unbreakable but are vulnerable to collapse. Leading in a BANI world requires letting go of the illusion that anything—no matter how enduring—can’t change or fail.

Anxious reflects the stress of being bombarded with information while realizing how little we control. Leaders must accept that we can’t influence everything and refocus on what we can control: our actions and responses.

Non-linear describes how small actions can trigger disproportionate effects. The world’s interconnectedness means we can’t always predict the outcomes of our choices, so leaders need to stay adaptable and expect the unexpected.

Incomprehensible highlights our limited ability to make sense of everything happening around us. Embracing this helps us move from confusion to curiosity, where we can lead with openness and wonder.

So, how do we lead in a BANI world? It requires awareness, acceptance, and a willingness to embrace complexity with curiosity.

To dive deeper into these ideas, check out my book, Power to Coach: Develop Leaders Around You, co-authored with Dan Guglielmo. We explore the shift from chaos to complexity, how to lead in the spaces in between, and the power of coaching in navigating a BANI reality.

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