Why PUMO, Not VUCA or BANI, Describes the World We Face Today
Let’s be honest:
If you're still thinking in VUCA or BANI terms, you're already reacting to a world that no longer exists.
The reality has shifted — and if we don't adapt, we risk becoming irrelevant.
Earlier this month, at the Petersberger Trainertage (#PTT2025), I encountered a framework that instantly resonated with me:
PUMO, developed by Prof. Ulrich Lichtenthaler from ISM Cologne.
In this article, I’ll share why PUMO captures the real leadership and organizational challenges of today — and why understanding it is critical if you want to stay ahead.
What is PUMO?
PUMO is more than just another trendy acronym. It describes the profound shifts organizations, leaders, and employees must navigate right now:
Polarized
The world is no longer just complex — it’s divided.
Political, societal, and economic landscapes are pulling apart into extremes.
Sitting on the fence is no longer an option.
Organizations must learn to position themselves wisely in increasingly hostile environments.
Unthinkable
Events that once seemed impossible — global pandemics, economic implosions, technological revolutions — are becoming part of everyday reality.
If you're still clinging to “this could never happen,” you're already vulnerable.
Strategic flexibility and scenario planning are not nice-to-haves; they are survival skills.
Metamorphic
Change is no longer episodic. It's permanent, fluid, and often unpredictable.
The days of five-year plans and stable environments are over.
Leaders must focus deeply on core values and essential competencies to anchor their organizations amidst constant flux.
Overheated
We live in an era of instant outrage, media-driven hype, and stakeholder anxiety.
Public debates escalate quickly, reputations are built — and destroyed — in hours.
Organizations that react impulsively to every wave risk losing their credibility.
Choosing when — and how — to act becomes a strategic advantage.
Why PUMO Is Different from VUCA or BANI
VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) and BANI (Brittle, Anxious, Nonlinear, Incomprehensible) described important shifts in the past.
But most organizations have adapted to them already.
PUMO highlights a harsher truth: It's not enough to be agile or resilient anymore.
Today’s environment demands more:
✔ Proactive preparation, not just reaction.
✔ Courageous positioning, not neutrality.
✔ Strategic calm, not impulsive action.
In short: PUMO calls for leaders and organizations who actively shape the future — instead of being shaped by external chaos.
How Should Leaders and Organizations Respond to PUMO?
It’s time for a mindset shift.
Here are some key questions every organization and every leader should be asking right now:
Are we ready to navigate polarization with clarity and confidence?
Do we have the flexibility to adapt to the unthinkable?
What anchors us during constant metamorphic change?
How can we remain calm and strategic in an overheated environment?
Those who aren't addressing these realities risk being left behind.
Those who are — will define the next decade.
Final Thoughts
PUMO isn’t just a framework. It’s a wake-up call.
The world is polarized, unthinkable, metamorphic, and overheated — and it's not going back to the way it was.
The only real question is: Will you react, or will you lead?
I'm excited to dive deeper into this topic with organizations, leadership teams, and individuals who are ready not just to survive but to thrive in the PUMO era.
If you'd like to explore how your organization can proactively respond to PUMO challenges, feel free to reach out. I'd love to start the conversation.