Do you agree that despite best intentions, ‘stuff’ happens?
Our external environment, despite our best efforts is largely uncontrollable. While it is true that we can forecast different scenarios and attach probabilities, we can not control what gets done to us and our organizations.
The key in this environment is to be non-controlling, non-accusational and flexible. You and your team must accept that change is inevitable and that there will hopefully be more good than not. The one choice that you have complete control over is your attitude or your reaction to what happens to us. If your emotions and reactions are the only thing you can control – why do we so often ‘give them up’ by showing hatred, jealousy, anger or attaching blame?
Have you ever met people who seem upset at the world because of what has been ‘done’ to them? How do they affect people around them? What happens to everyone’s energy level around them? It becomes quickly evident to all of us that they carry around their past and that their attitudes cloud their judgment, which often leads to a predisposition to react in a very defensive or quickly aggressive manner. These individuals need to let go of the past and the feeling that things are being done to them as if there was some master plan to ‘get’ them.
Putting It Into Action:
Accept first that you have little influence on what happens to you and your organization from the external world. Next, anticipate a worst case, likely outcome and best case scenario and compute the impact. For each scenario, practice reactions to all three possibilities; reactions should consider the impact and reaction from all stakeholders affected. Practicing possible scenarios and how you will handle them will show that you are proactive, can anticipate the future and that you behave in a consistent, positive and empathetic manner. You and your organization will gain more trust as others see you with this positive, forward looking attitude.
With you along the path towards success,
Joseph