We’ve all heard the expression: “Change is the only constant in life.” It’s not new—it dates back to the Greek philosopher Heraclitus in 500 BC.

But I would argue that we are shifting to a market environment where it is not change, but uncertainty, that is the new constant. In fact, mentions of “uncertainty” are up 80% year over year in Glassdoor reviews. And the word appeared in 87% of public earnings statements in early 2025.

These are the reasons, according to a recent analysis—Leaders, It’s Time To Build Your Tolerance For Uncertainty—that the ability to manage in the midst of uncertainty is the new key executive competency. The author identified three skills that executives need to hone to manage during…