In today’s unpredictable business world, leaders often face situations where information is incomplete, priorities shift overnight, and teams look for direction. This is where sensemaking becomes a crucial leadership skill. It’s the process of interpreting complex, ambiguous situations and creating shared understanding so that teams can act decisively.
Why Sensemaking Matters:
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Provides clarity in uncertainty: Great leaders don’t always have all the answers — they make sense of the unknown with their teams.
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Guides collective action: Sensemaking turns scattered insights into a coherent direction everyone can follow.
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Drives adaptability: Leaders who master sensemaking help their organizations respond quickly and intelligently to change.
How to Build Sensemaking Skills:
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Absorb multiple perspectives: Gather input from different levels and functions to see the full picture.
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Connect patterns: Identify links between seemingly unrelated data points to form strategic insights.
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Frame the narrative: Translate complexity into a clear story that aligns the team.
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Iterate rapidly: Refine interpretations as new information emerges — sensemaking is continuous, not one-time.
Leaders who excel at sensemaking don’t wait for perfect information; they shape clarity from uncertainty.
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