Navigating Uncertainty.

Uncertainty is defined as the conscious awareness, or the subjective experience, of ignorance. Typically but not always experienced as an emotionally negative phenomenon, individuals possess and can improve a set of psychological responses known as uncertainty tolerance to engage uncertainty as opportunity. This is particularly important for leaders navigating organizational change. Unlike articles that describe diagnostic uncertainty in radiologic practice, this work focuses on the underpinnings of neurobiology, psychology, and stress responses to uncertainty in efforts to promote a new approach to understanding uncertainty for the practicing radiologist. Uncertainty's relationship to change, emotion, safety, and uncertainty tolerance are explained.