Dealing With Uncertainty Is A Skill Worth Perfecting

Uncertainty. Sweet uncertainty. Don't let it eat you alive.

During the coronavirus crisis, we’re all learning to deal in our own ways with uncertainty. Some of us have found that we thrive in chaos; most however, are struggling to maintain order and some semblance of regularity while the ground underneath shifts enormously every day.

Dealing with uncertainty effectively is a skill especially worth perfecting for lawyers. And it’s especially critical for in-house lawyers, whose decisions have a direct impact on business and their ability to weather turbulence and change of all kinds. When change or uncertainty strikes –- and as the saying goes: the only certainty is uncertainty –- it is in-house lawyers who are on the front lines.

Here are some of my observations for how lawyers can deal effectively with uncertainty.

Accept — Even Embrace — Your Fear

We are going through changes. Many of us know someone who has experienced serious health concerns. Going to a grocery store has become, to many, a life-threatening risk. The economy is on the brink of collapse. The news channels are gloomy. Many companies are not meeting their targets and face real financial pressures. Many graduates are worried about their once-certain job prospects. Many general counsels are planning layoffs and furloughs. Many colleagues have already been laid off.

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Get Social And Supportive

Everyone I know is going over their own worst-case scenario on repeat. In my recent conversation with Colin Levin, corporate counsel at Salary.com and a legal blogger who focuses on in-house and legal tech issues, he discusses the importance of recognizing that these emotions, including fear, are normal. These emotions are shared by all of us. And it is a great idea to seek support and not feel isolated.

 

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Just because many of us are sheltering in place does not mean that we must be isolated. I have embraced the concept of virtual meals, coffees, and happy hours. In the process, I reconnected with my colleagues and friends. I also finally deepened my relationships with professionals that I met on LinkedIn but have never actually spoken to.

 

The Abundance Of Predictions Is Highly Correlated With A Degree Of Uncertainty

My LinkedIn feed, inbox, and conversations are full of predictions. We are going through changes -– that much is clear. Will our world and working lives be completely disrupted and transformed forever? Does the change have to be so big to have such an outsized impact? Whether we are in the middle of evolution or revolution, times are hard today. It is okay to not know what the future holds. We can be patient. Do our best today. Observe. Stay open and curious. Lean in.

 

Focus On The Opportunities And Advantages You Gained

In times of uncertainty, I find it very helpful to focus on what I’ve gained as opposed to what I’ve lost. For example, in this coronavirus pandemic, I have gained more sleep, regular exercise, and unprecedented levels of productivity because I no longer commute to work. This focus on gains, as opposed to losses, will help you see the silver lining and opportunities that were not available to you and your business before.

 

Back To Basics Are A Good Way To Anchor Yourself And Your Organization

In uncertain times, general counsel and legal departments return to the basics. Based on my conversations, an unrepresentative sample of general counsels seem to care about the following three basics — systems, safety, and stability. For example, when it comes to systems, general counsel and in-house lawyers ask where the organization still has access to servers to keep the critical business operations up. With safety, they tend to confirm the security and privacy measures to avoid losses. And with stability, many in-house lawyers assure financial stability through numerous measures including interpreting the CARES Act. Basics are important. In the end, these basics make a huge difference between the businesses’ ability to survive and thrive during storms.

 

Uncertainty doesn’t have to spell doom. It can provide perspective and even an opportunity to rethink how businesses are run. I suggest giving yourself space to feel all the feelings that will arise during this unprecedented global pandemic and to use the change it has set in motion to re-evaluate your mindset and the fundamentals of your business.


Olga V. Mack is the CEO of Parley Pro, a next-generation contract management company that has pioneered online negotiation technology. Olga embraces legal innovation and had dedicated her career to improving and shaping the future of law. She is convinced that the legal profession will emerge even stronger, more resilient, and more inclusive than before by embracing technology. Olga is also an award-winning general counsel, operations professional, startup advisor, public speaker, adjunct professor, and entrepreneur. She founded the Women Serve on Boards movement that advocates for women to participate on corporate boards of Fortune 500 companies. She authored Get on Board: Earning Your Ticket to a Corporate Board Seat and Fundamentals of Smart Contract Security. You can follow Olga on Twitter @olgavmack.