What is Ambiguity Tolerance and How to Build This Essential Creative Skill

How are some of the most creative minds able to think of those mind-blowing, world-changing, inspiring ideas?

The answer may lie in waiting in uncertainty.

…keep waiting…

Ready?

…

Ok, some us are able to accept some level of uncertainty. But what we’re talking about here is a skill called “Ambiguity tolerance.”

It’s the ability to sit with vague or contrary information, unsolvable and complex problems, or ideas with multiple meanings. Showing high levels of ambiguity tolerance has previously been shown to indicate creativity. Or at least the opposite of satisficing– choosing the first reasonable solution.

As we sit with challenging problems and uncertain outcomes, ambiguity tolerance is the willingness to stay working on a problem or coming up with more ideas while the problem stays unsolved. Ambiguity tolerance is also being comfortable in a liminal identity. Being in between jobs and trying to redefine a career or identity takes time, and many of us feel stuck or at least uncomfortable moving from one identity into another.

We’re all in a liminal space right now. And there will be more.

Life has no shortage of situations, relationships, and experiences that are complex, undefined, and contain multiple meanings. Even so, just reminding ourselves of that can build up our tolerance for ambiguity and help us be a little more patient.

And that’s where the best ideas are found.

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Caveday is a company aimed at improving your relationship to work. We write regular posts on Medium and send out monthly newsletters with productivity tips, life hacks, and recommendations. Sign up for the mailing list here.

Jake Kahana is a cofounder of Caveday. Sign up for his personal emails, called “The Email Refrigerator” here.