Leadership in Vuca times

Imagine you're stuck in a cave. All you see are shadows on the wall -- reflections of something real, but never the whole picture. This is the crux of Plato's well-known cave simile: a metaphor for how we humans often relate to the world through habits, notions, and illusions — not reality itself (Plato, “The State,” Book VII).

In stable times, this may be enough. The shadows provide a kind of reassurance. They are familiar, and the familiar feels true. But what happens when the world suddenly changes — when there is no longer any consistency between what we see and what is actually happening?

Welcome to the Vuca era.

What does VUCA mean?

VUCA is a term derived from the United States Armed Forces, describing the world as:

Volatile (Volatile): Changes happen quickly and unpredictably.

Uncertain: Past experiences no longer provide clear answers.

Complex (complex): There are a lot of factors at play -- everything is connected to everything.

Ambiguous: Situations have multiple interpretations, and no facet.

It's as if someone has blown out the light in the cave, and we have to rely on something other than the shadow images we know (Bennett & Lemoine, 2014).

The leader who dares to turn

In Plato's tale, there is one person who turns towards the opening of the cave and sees the light outside. At first he is dazzled, then he is confused — but in the end he sees the world as it really is. This is a painful and demanding process, but also a liberating one (Annas, 1981).

In a Vuca world, we need just such leaders - who dare to question the obvious, who don't cling to old answers, and who inspire others to look with new eyes.

Why the cave analogy and VUCA belong together

Plato's cave analogy illustrates how we often relate to reality through established patterns of thought and habits—an insight that is equally relevant today. Research on leadership in the VUCA world (Johansen, 2017) shows that leaders must develop the ability to think anew, challenge their own assumptions, and endure uncomfortable uncertainty — just like the one who leaves the cave and encounters the light for the first time.

Three learning points from the cave — for VUCA leaders

1. The shadows do not give answers

In times of uncertainty, it is easy to seek solace in old patterns and rigid plans. But leading at VUCA isn't about finding the one right solution -- it's about keeping more options open.

2. Light hurts at the start

Seeing reality as it is -- in all its complexity and ambiguity -- can be overwhelming. Managers must endure the discomfort of not knowing, and stand firm in it.

3. You have to go back to the cave again.

In Plato's parable, the one who has seen the light returns to the others in the cave. It's a leadership deed: Helping others understand, without judging -- and building shared insights into the unknown.

Psychological safety and transformational leadership — the key to lighting more candles

Facing uncertainty and complexity requires more than information. Research shows that psychological reassurance — the feeling that it is safe to ask questions, admit mistakes, and explore new ideas — is essential for learning and innovation in teams (Edmondson, 2019). Leaders must create spaces for reflection and wonder, so that more people dare to “sniff at the light” without fear of consequences.

At the same time, transformational leadership is a leadership style that promotes courage, curiosity and development. Transformational leaders inspire and motivate employees to rethink, challenge the established, and together find their way out of the cave (Bass & Riggio, 2006).

Why this requires more than information

Information alone will not help us out of the cave. We need trust, reassurance and curiosity. It is only when we create space for reflection and wonder—alone and together—that we truly begin to see. This is where psychological security and transformational leadership come in. Not to control more, but to light more lights in the dark -- so we can navigate together.

To lead “towards the light”

Plato believed in the power of education and philosophy to liberate people. In our time we can add: interaction, listening leadership and the will to learn.

Being a leader in Vuca times may not be primarily about being right — it's about creating movement in thought, showing courage in uncertainty, and raising your gaze with others.

Because it's not safest in the cave. It's just mostly known.

Reflection questions

1.What “shadows on the wall” characterize your own organization today?

2.How can you, as a leader, help your team dare to look for new perspectives?

3.What does psychological security mean to you in the face of uncertainty and change?

When was the last time you challenged your own assumptions — and what did you learn from it?

References

Plato. (2000). The State (Book VII). Oslo: Gyldendal Akademik.

Annas, J. (1981). An Introduction to Plato's Republic. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Bennett, N., & Lemoine, G. J. (2014). “What VUCA Really Means for You.” The Harvard Business Review.

Johansen, B. (2017). The New Leadership Literacies. Berrett-Koehler.

Edmondson, A. (2019). The Fearless Organization. It's Wiley.

Bass, B. M., & Riggio, R. E. (2006). Transformational Leadership (2nd ed.). Lawrence Erlbaum,

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