New UK research shows decision making slows sharply before Christmas, then gets rushed in January, leading to wasted time and poor outcomes.
Seven in ten workers say they would rather look decisive than admit uncertainty, even if it leads to worse outcomes. Among senior leaders, this rises to eight in ten.
Katherine Templar-Lewis, Lead Scientist at The Uncertainty Experts and co-author of the Uncertainty Toolkit, said; “Most bad decisions are not caused by uncertainty, but by our inability to sit with it long enough to decide well.”
A new UK workforce study reveals how uncertainty is driving poor decision making, wasted time and end of year frustration.
A UK wide survey commissioned by the authors of The Uncertainty Toolkit and the founders of The Uncertainty Experts, who have recently joined the Mediazoo Group, found that decision making frequently stalls in December and is subsequently rushed in January, often leading to rework and regret.
The study, conducted among employed UK adults aged 25 to 55, explored how people respond to uncertainty at work and in daily life. The findings suggest uncertainty itself is not the main problem, but how people attempt to escape it.
Seven in ten adults say they would rather appear decisive at work than admit uncertainty, even when this leads to worse outcomes. Among senior leaders this rises to around eight in ten.
Respondents also reported that everyday moments of ambiguity such as waiting for news or receiving unclear messages are more anxiety provoking than global threats.
Rather than abstract or extreme ideas, people favour practical ways to prepare for the year ahead like skills development, AI tools, health, and spending time with others.
The findings help explain why unresolved decisions build up at the end of the year, while January becomes a period of rushed calls and poor judgement.
Katherine Templar-Lewis, Lead Scientist at The Uncertainty Experts and co-author of The Uncertainty Toolkit said: “After a long stretch of instability, it’s not surprising that organisations feel frustrated. What often gets labelled as a productivity or leadership problem is really about how uncomfortable people feel with uncertainty.”
“When things stay unclear for too long, we either freeze or rush decisions. The real skill is learning how to stay with that uncertainty long enough to decide well, instead of forcing an answer too soon.”
The research comes at a time of record global uncertainty. According to the World Uncertainty Index, 2025 recorded the highest levels on record, with volatility up to three times higher than during the middle of the Covid pandemic.
The research suggests prolonged uncertainty leads first to hesitation, then to rushed decision making, both of which carry significant costs in complex environments.
The findings form part of a wider body of work presented by The Uncertainty Experts and in particularly in The Uncertainty Toolkit, a new book published this January, which draws on four years of research in psychology, neuroscience, and behavioural science, supported by academic work with UCL.
The research concludes stronger decisions come from tolerating uncertainty, not forcing faster answers.
The Uncertainty Experts
Founded in 2021 and now part of the Mediazoo Group, Uncertainty Experts is a behaviour change company on a mission to help people and organisations turn uncertainty into opportunity. Created by entrepreneur and author Sam Conniff, the project was born during lockdown as a radical exploration of how we can lead, create, and adapt when the map runs out. What began as a self-funded experiment quickly grew into a Netflix-backed documentary series and a scientifically validated learning experience. Developed in collaboration with leading cognitive scientists and award-winning documentary makers, Uncertainty Experts has been peer-reviewed and published for its measurable impact on reducing anxiety and increasing adaptability.
Today, Uncertainty Experts delivers transformational, cohort-based programmes that combine science, storytelling, and real-world experience to help people think sharper, act braver, and lead better. Its work has engaged forward-thinking organisations including Apple, Netflix, Nike, Google, and the NHS, and earned industry recognition for innovation in learning and leadership development.
Sam Conniff
Sam Conniff is an award-winning entrepreneur, best-selling author, and internationally recognised speaker, known for redefining leadership in an age of uncertainty.
Through initiatives like Be More Pirate, Uncertainty Experts, and Hard As Nails, he’s helped organisations from FTSE 100s to the public sector unlock creative leadership and embrace change.
Sam’s approach combines behavioural science with bold storytelling. His flagship project, Uncertainty Experts - developed with UCL and Netflix - became the world’s first interactive documentary proven to reduce anxiety and improve decision-making.
A former EY Entrepreneur of the Year, Sam founded the social enterprise Livity, and his clients now include Salesforce, Unilever, NHS England and Sky. His delivery is provocative, evidence-based, and built to inspire lasting impact.
Katherine Templar Lewis
Katherine is an expert in the way humans navigate this modern world full of uncertainty and change. With a background in human and cognitive science, she is dedicated to interdisciplinary research, bringing scientists and creatives together to solve the
complex and very human challenges we face today. Her mission is to equip people with the tools needed to not just thrive in an uncertain society but to drive innovation, seize opportunities and unlock their own potential.
Through interdisciplinary research, science communications and a refreshingly very punk approach to life in general she is a rebel scientist who will inspire you and leave you with a new excitement about being human.