How to Train Your Kids for a VUCA World

Unfortunately, we’re way passed the point where we could avoid this

We live in a VUCA world.

Volatile. Uncertain. Complex. Ambiguous.

I want my seven kids to learn that. They need to feel it in their bones. So deep that they will become masters of VUCA.

Armed with such experience and knowledge, they’ll be able to conquer the world.

Once the VUCA training is complete, my kids will have the opportunity to buy yachts for more than $500 million, like their hero, Jeff Bezos.

Or, if they’re less successful like Larry Ellison, my kids will still be able to buy an island in Hawaii for $300 million.

If you follow my steps and creative ideas, maybe your kids can become certified VUCA masters too — and rule the world of tomorrow.

They’ll be crazy rich, enough to save the planet from climate change with their yachts, private jets, and private islands.

Sounds good?

Here’s what you can do. These are suggestions. I’m sure you can find some better ideas.

Rent their rooms on Airbnb

Well, yes, sometimes they have to sleep in the basement. But that’s good training for life. You never know what can happen. It’s complex and uncertain out there.

And yes, sometimes the basement is also rented, so you have to sleep at some friend’s place.

It’s good for the kids’ social skills. It’s not a VUCA childhood if you’re not making friends and asking for small favors (like sleeping over because your dad rented your room to pay for your college tuition).

Their future self will thank me.

After last winter, when my 11-year-old had to sleep in a tent at minus four and caught a cold, I’m not allowed to rent their rooms when temperatures go below 10 degrees (Fahrenheit, obviously). My wife said this was unnecessary training given future climate change impacts.

She has a point.

Cut their allowances in half

Last year my kids asked me to index their allowances on bitcoins. I said, “OK, no problem, kids. I’ll do it. You’re gonna learn what’s volatility, I’m telling you.”

They laughed and said they were “going to make shitloads of money.”

Well, bitcoin broke the $28,000 support and is now going down straight to hell.

And the result isn’t surprising. Yesterday the kids didn’t have enough money to buy extras like milk and crisps during lunchtime.

Well, that’s not my problem; I told them from the start that our home isn’t an all-inclusive resort. We guarantee breakfast and dinner (within limited timeframes), and that’s it.

Lunch is VOLATILE, kiddos.

It’s good learning for them. Stock markets look good as long as they’re going up. But sometimes, they go down, and you need the money …

Lots of uncertainty out there.

Change their names regularly

Every first Tuesday of the month, we change our names.

It makes things more complicated. We don’t know how to call each other. It’s also a sign of freedom. We each get to choose our new names for the month.

We like it.

It’s good training for future spies and actors. It’s crucial to understand how relative a name can be. It’s something your parent gave you, that’s all. It doesn’t mean it should define your personality or the way you see yourself.

Unfortunately, our school is very conservative, and the director categorically refused to acknowledge my kids’ changing names.

Sometimes it’s hard to be a trendsetter.

But it’s also fun. So far this year, my name has been: “Dad, I love you so much.” “Dad, you’re so intelligent.” “Dad, what can I do for you?” and “Listen up, Shitbrick.”

When living the VUCA way, you need to have a sense of humor. It helps the kids blow off steam after three sleepless nights under a tent.

To summarize

We face much more volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity than our parents. And it’s growing exponentially.

Can you imagine what our kids will have to deal with?!

They need to be extra prepared if we want them to tackle the challenges we were too lazy and coward to address.

Teach them the VUCA way.

Smillew is a VUCA master willing to share his knowledge and coach a happy few. Subscribe to his stories for free training or there for a paying one. There’s no certainty you’ll receive anything, but that shouldn’t surprise the vUca apprentice in you.