Learning Lessons of Ambigility

Below is my monthly message for the September 2021 edition of the MHRI newsletter, Focus. You can view Focus online at MedStarResearch.org/FOCUS.

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Dear Friends and Colleagues,

 

Happy Labor Day everyone!

At this time of year, we are usually returning to work after a holiday weekend, welcoming each other back from summer vacation and sharing hallway stories about the kids going back to school.

However, this year we find ourselves still in a constant state of flux with more uncertainty.  It is unsettling. Masked or unmasked?  Who is vaccinated and who is not?  Boosters soon or not? What about the unvaccinated kids?  Delta, Lambda, [fill in the next variant].  Oh, and if the pandemic was not enough, there is extreme weather with tornadoes, floods, and fires.  How can we cope with the anxiety and stress that this uncertainty gives us?

As a scientist that recognizes the importance of emotions and heart, I like to break things down to better understand them before drawing conclusions about ‘treatment’. Anxiety starts to build up as we try to anticipate what lies ahead.  We do this by plugging in all we think we know about today’s reality. But the truth is we don’t have ‘all the data’ since the situation continues to evolve.  This immerses us into a state of greater ambiguity which only further elevates anxiety.

The good news is we are learning to build new muscles of resilience and flexibility.  That includes becoming more comfortable with being uncomfortable.  It also comes with recognizing what we have the ability to change and accept what we cannot control.  I like the adage that a good sailor never knows which way the wind will blow but can always get to their destination. However, as the summer ends and we are well into the second half of 2021, it feels like this ‘storm’ is not ending and the world’s relentless changes and ambiguity are testing our endurance and agility to change. MedStar Health recognizes the impact of this and strongly encourages the use of the support services that are available with this link.   Remember we are all in this together.

Ambigility is a new [made-up] word that is circulating to describe the skills we need to get through these times of relentless change. It combines the words ambiguity with the need for greater agility.  “Ambi” derives from Latin, meaning both. Ambiguity means things could move in both (or many different) directions. Ambivalence means we feel equally strong with both solutions.  Just like the batter who can hit from both sides of the plate, we all should become ambidextrous - where strength meets flexibility. Ambigility is the superpower to pull together this concept of 1) pivoting with agility and strength, 2) recognizing what we can’t control and 3) focusing on using our experience and knowledge to make things work despite the changes.

In 2020, MHRI has seen a tremendous increase in COVID19 research. This is a tribute to the dedication and perseverance of our research teams and associates.  In 2021, we are pivoting and demonstrating our agility with the emergence of de-centralized clinical trials, research using new ‘digital health’ technologies, harnessing the power of ‘big data’ and data analytics across health systems and more patient centered approaches to in-home research.   We are accepting that what worked yesterday is different than what we need today or even tomorrow – Ambigility  is the nature of a learning healthcare system and will become our superpower to adapt to whatever comes our way! We, as a team, bring together this ambigility and together form an organization that learns together, adapts and thrives.

Stay strong, agile and safe everyone and despite the challenges, welcome back from the summer!  And…. I still want to hear about your summer adventures!  

With gratitude,

Neil

Read Focus online at MedStarResearch.org/FOCUS.