VUCA becomes VUCAA, courtesy of Peter Schein

VUCA becomes VUCAA, courtesy of Peter Schein

Author: Jane Beddall December 4, 2025 Duration: 4:55

Way back in March 2020, I published two episodes about VUCA. VUCA V - U -C- A is an acronym describing a concept that was developed by the U. S. Army War College to describe the world after the end of the Cold War. A world that was more Volatile, V; Uncertain, U: Complex, C; and Ambiguous, A.

Peter Schein talked with me in Episode 361, published two weeks ago, about his book, Humble Inquiry: The Gentle Art of Asking Instead of Telling, which was published earlier this year.

In the book, Peter refers to VUCAA. That’s VUCA with an additional A. The second A stands for Anxiety. 

Difficult enough to deal with volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity. Anxiety affects our ability to handle every one of those.

What can we do about it all in the context of conflict?

We can start by recognizing that we come from different perspectives.

VUCAA may be our new norm.  And, we will benefit from recognizing that we won’t all experience it or deal with it the same way. And we can exercise as much grace as we can muster. 

Do you have comments or suggestions about a topic or guest? An idea or question about conflict management or conflict resolution? Let me know at jb@dovetailresolutions.com! And you can learn more about me and my work as a mediator and a Certified CINERGY® Conflict Coach at www.dovetailresolutions.com and https://www.linkedin.com/in/janebeddall/.

Enjoy the show for free on your favorite podcast app or on the podcast website: https://craftingsolutionstoconflict.com/

 


In a world where disagreements often feel like dead ends, Crafting Solutions to Conflict offers a different path-one built on practical tools and a genuinely constructive mindset. Hosted by Jane Beddall, whose background in both law and mediation brings a unique depth to the conversation, this podcast moves beyond theory to the everyday realities of navigating tension. You’ll hear discussions that reframe conflict not as something to dread, but as a potential catalyst for stronger connections and better outcomes, whether at home, in the workplace, or within your community. Each episode feels like a thoughtful dialogue, unpacking familiar yet challenging concepts. Jane guides listeners through ideas like addressing the ‘elephants in the room,’ finding ways to ‘expand the pie’ for mutual gain, and understanding why ‘cookie-cutter’ solutions often fall short. The focus is consistently on preserving valued relationships by preventing unnecessary damage and resolving issues that do arise with clarity and respect. Tuning into this podcast provides more than just advice; it’s an ongoing exploration of how to build and restore harmony through intentional communication. If you’re looking for actionable perspectives that blend wisdom from the realms of society, business, and personal growth, you’ll find a trusted resource here.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Crafting Solutions to Conflict
Podcast Episodes
Assuming the worst [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:57
When we are in a situation that is mildly unsettling, a little dicey, possibly heading toward a nasty conflict, we can assume the worst about the other person, the situation, and/or ourselves. That assumption does not se…
Conflict and the attention economy: Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:08
Last time, I talked a bit about the meaning of the “attention economy”, a term coined over fifty years ago by Herbert Simon, a Nobel prize winner for economics. The idea is that human focus is a limited natural resource.…
Conflict and the attention economy: Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:41
The “attention economy” is a term coined over fifty years ago by Herbert Simon, a Nobel prize winner for economics. The idea is that human focus is a limited natural resource. Speedy, reactive thinking is prioritized by…
Episode 400: Why I do this [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:39
Over time, I have come to see my podcast as a way to give back. Through my own content, I can share what I have learned so far. And I can continue to learn and to share even more. My guests are … no one word sums them up…
Rana Gujral on the AI Instinct [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:41
Rana Gujral joins me to talk about his book, The AI Instinct: The Future of AI and Human Decision-Making. We discuss whether we humans are paying attention to the right things when we consider our relationship with AI an…
Looking back in order to move forward [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:32
When we are stuck. At an impasse in a conflict. Or feeling that valued relationships are at risk of falling apart. Or paralyzed because we don’t know how to broach the topic that is percolating under the surface. We can…
The journey and the destination – three perspectives [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:23
Sometimes, the idea of the journey and the destination can be taken too far. Better: when a group needs to make a decision, that decision-making process can be, if not as important as the ultimate decision, a profound in…
Markers of progress [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:08
Progress that is -- not “success”. It can be essential to focus on progress, instead of success – however success might be defined. Think about markers of progress. If we focus on progress, and not success, it can be eas…
Sparks or flames [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:24
Flames suggest bad conflict, the destructive kind. Sparks suggest the good kind: the type that inspires creative thinking, effective collaboration, daring innovation. Do you have comments or suggestions about a topic or…