Yes, there is still time … The sky is not falling and doomsday will have to wait because there is much work to get done during these unprecedented times.
Mavericks: let’s talk and discuss what happens when we are surrounded (even virtually) with negativity and how it shapes our leadership and, ultimately, those around us.
Consider this: When your outlook is focused on what is not going right and not working out, your work and life begin to be filled with what is NOT happening. As a Maverick Leader, it is up to you to direct your focus and be intentional.
So, instead of focusing on the lack, focus on what you have and how to multiply it into something more. Now, more than ever, is a time for your organisation to pivot in a way it may have wanted to for years. The fear of what could go wrong is less because, let’s face it, a pandemic was not on the list of reasons before now which means it must be an opportunity! An opportunity to rethink, innovate, and revitalise ideas, processes, and people, is right in front of you. This “creative spring break” has given room for new perspectives, and questions about what is, and what is not, working!
Think about it this way; if you ever wanted to change something within your team or organisation, why not start changing it now, while everything else is changing? Based on Kurt Lewin’s change theory, there are three stages of change, Unfreeze – Change – Freeze. Stage one, unfreeze, is “a method of making it possible for people to let go of an old pattern …” Well, if the pandemic is not that method than I don’t know what is.
Lewin’s second change theory is, well, change. There are three major areas to consider when creating change within. The first consideration for change is money. With near zero travel happening, now is a great time to look at how travel has impacted your organisation’s budget over the past several years. Why not consider a travel inventory to determine if the trips and costs justify the return. Even now, in these times of virtual meetings, could this be the way of the future that works to your advantage? Does it allow those employees who want to have more family time and still impact sales and consultancy relationships to do so without hopping on a plane on Monday and returning on Friday? Could there be a new cultural norm that gives more options on how work is done while you, as leader, still keeps control over the what?
Another area in which to consider a change is the influence of your organisation, both internally and externally. Now people are paying attention to what impacts them the most. Many desire honesty and truth because the fear of the unknown is almost too much to bear. Therefore, position your organisation as the truth teller with services and offerings that meet people’s needs. Whether you work in IT, Consumer Products, Energy or Education, the common thread is people. Right now, people want to be influenced and this change is necessary for long-term sustainability and lack of burn out. Consider what you can do as a leader to create a new picture of leadership and influence that goes beyond what the world once was.
The final stage of Lewin’s change theory is to Freeze once again. When we shift from this time we will get back to “normal”. What that is and how it impacts business and life is up to us as leaders to help establish.
Therefore, changing the things you know will set you up for success for the next several years. Change the one thing that others say, “could never be changed”. You may find that you unlock and unleash hidden potential, profit, and progress beyond your imagination and budget.
There is still time.