Living with Uncertainty

Clear and concise explanation of theory, mostly straightforward to understand. However, there is a dearth of examples of the ideas presented in this course, making it hard to understand some aspects in anything but the abstract. For example, understanding what the hidden assumptions in a culture are/where to find them is an intrinsically difficult task, therefore without examples of these assumptions, it is hard to understand in a tangible way the effectiveness of knowing these hidden assumptions.

This course was useful and thought provoking. I found myself talking through what I learned with others and thinking through how it applies to the world around us. It left me with ample information as well as the drive to learn more. I hope there is a follow-up course on Prosocial in the near future!

Very informative and good illustrations and explanations throughout course.

Dr. Ahmed Afzaal’s course is a focused discussion on how to develop our instincts so that we may learn how to deal with or live with uncertainty in life as individuals or groups. As we face unprecedented challenges in an increasingly complex world, he displays how we need to be more adaptive in order to become more resilient. He is clear in his development of his argument and this allows people to apply these ideas easily to their own lives and in community. He breaks down how individuals and groups can deal with change by laying out various aspects of uncertainty and decision making so that we can make informed and helpful choices in the face of complex uncertainty. Ultimately, he shows how we can look at our assumptions and habits of thinking and acting. He demonstrates the importance of flexibility and collaboration and how to achieve helpful change through trusting relationships in an ever-increasing complex world. He also demonstrates how leaders can create and manage culture in a way that is productive and that first of all sets aside unhelpful ways of dealing with uncertainty and then allows appropriate and meaningful change in cultures that are needed for positive engagement with uncertainty.