Today’s world can be described as Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, and Incomprehensible (BANI), an idea created by Jamais Cascio, an American anthropologist, futurist, and author. The war in Ukraine, the Middle East conflict and instability, the increasing impact of climate change and a world where massive upheaval can occur in seconds, has created challenges that require a fresh lens and mindset.
Effective mentoring has become even more crucial. Mentoring in a BANI world calls for mentors to encourage adaptability, emotional intelligence, the development of resilience, curiosity, innovative thinking and a comprehension of dealing with burnout and stress by their mentees. In fact, a far more holistic approach to mentee development than we were previously used to.
What does BANI mean?
The BANI framework (Facing the Age of Chaos) reflects the challenges of our world today:
- Brittle: Systems and organisations that seemed strong can suddenly fail under pressure.
- Anxious: Uncertainty and insecurity creates anxiety, affecting decision-making and morale.
- Nonlinear: Outcomes are not always proportional to inputs; small changes can have significant impact.
- Incomprehensible: Events may be difficult to understand or predict, leading to confusion and frustration.
This framework can be helpful to inform how mentors approach their roles and what knowledge and techniques the mentor utilises. Mentors will always provide the traditional support and guidance, but a BANI context provides opportunities for proactive mentors to bring out other capabilities, skills and wisdom to help them be alongside their mentees different needs, insecurities and uncertainties at this time.
Webinars exploring the Role of Mentoring to support those in a BANI world
In a BANI context, mentors are even more critical in the way they support the development of reflective space for their mentees, they are not just advisors but true thinking partners to help in navigating complexity. In addition, there are other key areas in which mentors can develop their skills and knowledge to be more helpful to their mentees. Join us for these five 30-minute CPD webinars to learn more, discuss and share strategies for mentor development:
All webinars start 12:00 (UK time) and last for approximately 30 minutes — there will be an element of interactivity. Do get in contact to chat beforehand, or stay on a webinar afterwards for an individual conversation!
Fostering Mentee Resilience
Mentors can help mentees build resilience by encouraging a reframing of challenges as opportunities for learning rather than insurmountable obstacles. Mentors can also share personal experiences of overcoming adversity to inspire confidence and adaptability. They are a powerful reality check for mentees as they experience and reflect on some of the ‘knocks’ of life.
Tuesday 4th February 2025 @ 12:00 (UK)
Lis Merrick
Encouraging Continuous Learning in a BANI environment
A culture of continuous learning is vital in the BANI environment. Mentors should promote curiosity and innovation and creativity by encouraging mentees to experiment with new ideas and approaches. The development of a Growth Mindset is critical.
Wednesday 19th February 2025 @ 12:00 (UK)
Lis Merrick
Building Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence is crucial for survival in uncertain BANI times. Mentors should work with mentees to enhance their self-awareness, empathy, motivation, self-regulation and social competence, enabling them to navigate complex social and emotional dynamics with their colleagues and in their workplaces.
Tuesday 4th March 2025 @ 12:00 (UK)
Lis Merrick
Developing meaning and purpose
The awareness of meaning and purpose in life can be even more important in a BANI world for well-being and to create organisational effectiveness. A mentor can help their mentee on this voyage of self and organisational discovery and support the building of self-awareness and commitment to their purpose.
Wednesday 19th March 2025 @ 12:00 (UK)
Lis Merrick
Creating direction and focus
Clear direction in our current world is often short lived, confused or non-existent. Mentors can be alongside their mentee to help them create short term direction as they develop objective sprints or fuzzy goals to help them navigate through the quagmire they are facing.
Tuesday 1st April 2025 @ 12:00 (UK)
Lis Merrick
Concluding thoughts on Mentoring in a BANI world…
Mentoring in a BANI world is complicated. It is not just about being that thinking partner, sounding board and professional friend. It is not merely about imparting knowledge. It is about supporting mentees through uncertainty with cognitive and compassionate empathy and knowledge of techniques that support in this context.
Come and join us at these mentor CPD webinars to learn, discuss and share strategies for mentoring in a BANI world!
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