Bringing Order to Chaos … Setting Yourself Up for Success in the Midst of Disruption

Do you find yourself in a situation where you’re having to navigate change or are experiencing a certain level of disruption (big or small)?  These types of scenarios can throw even the best of us off balance or drain our energy.  For me, I tend to think in columns, and my ‘superpower’ (if you want to call it that) is bringing structure or order to chaos.  So, I have found that I've had the best results when I’ve adopted the following principles to set myself up for success during periods of disruption, when the environment can feel a little more (or maybe a lot more) chaotic! 😊

Self-Development

We each own and are ultimately responsible for ensuring that we continue to invest in our own development and growth.  Whether it be diving into books, listening to podcasts, reading articles, attending conferences or other events, or leaning into stretch assignments - to keep up with the pace of change it’s imperative that you don’t deprioritize personal growth and development when the disruptors hit.  In this day and age, it’s so easy to get your hands on content to keep feeding your mind … and in many instances it’s low cost or free.  But you need to be intentional and disciplined when it comes to carving out space for this kind of stuff to ensure your mind stays crisp, particularly when navigating a challenging or changing environment. 

Team Development

Hyperfocus, now more than ever, on investing in your relationships with your fellow team members.  Be intentional when it comes to being collaborative with your teammates; in knowledge sharing; and when given the opportunity to pay it forward by assisting a teammate, do it!  We all end up working smarter as opposed to harder when we partner better together and are ultimately positioned to take on more.  During times of stress, it is not a good idea to ‘go it alone’.  We’re all better together. 

Invest in Your Network / Community

Though it may seem counter-intuitive to carve out space to invest in your external network during a period of immense pressure or stress, by holing up and keeping your head down you risk missing out on diverse ideas and perspectives that could benefit both you and your teammates.  This one historically has been a hard one for me to wrap my mind around … perhaps because I’m an introvert by nature and I can easily get myself so focused on my to-do list that I lose sight of the value or power of my broader community.  But over time I’ve grown to really appreciate the value of nurturing my network, even and especially when I’m taxed for time, and it has consistently paid dividends multiple times over.  Trust me on this one!

Execute, Execute, Execute!

When you’re navigating a period of disruption with many competing priorities, it could get real tempting real fast to start cutting corners.  Resist the urge to do that (you’ll always pay for it later with rework anyway!) and instead double down on focusing on the details and ensure you’re pristine when it comes to delivering results for your stakeholders! 

Thought of the Week #2:  The Power of a Growth Mindset

The four principles that I just outlined above ultimately serve you as you lean into and foster a Growth Mindset, which is essential as you seek to leverage every ounce of learning you can during times of challenge, change and disruption.  Perspective is the way you see the world and mindset is what you THINK about what you see.  Those who have a Fixed Mindset believe that whatever talents, skills, knowledge, or abilities that you have are fixed and cannot be changed.  Those who embrace a Growth Mindset believe you can develop new talents, learn new skills, gain more knowledge and abilities for as long as you’re on the planet.  As long as you keep adding new ideas, experiences, challenges, talents, and skills – you will forever be able to alter the way you think about what you see!

Along those lines, I believe that everything is figuroutable (yes, I think I made up a word there!).  And that even when you get it wrong, with a growth mindset you have an opportunity to learn something about how to get it right the next time … and as a result, you become stronger, wiser, and better equipped to handle the next big thing.  

By adopting the four principles outlined above coupled with a Growth Mindset, you will be set up to squeeze every ounce of learning you can during a period of disruption or change while also keeping your perspective and attitude in check!

Thought of the Week #3:  Must Read ‘Book of the Week’

When navigating times of disruption or change I can't think of a book better suited to provide you with the tools necessary to support your own development and to enhance your growth mindset than Ed Mylette’s “The Power of One More.”  Every chapter in this book can stand on its own and there are so many game changing nuggets in this one that it is worth adding to your must-read list.  And it’s available on Audio Book if you prefer to listen during your workouts or your daily power walk! This one is a standout, and I've actually dug in chapter by chapter with my leadership team, a mentee, and a few friends in my broader network.  You learn so much more when you have an opportunity to unpack this type of teaching with others.  So maybe team up with some of your colleagues and give it a read together!

In case you’re interested in a teaser, here are the primary themes of each chapter.

1. Adjust your Identity Thermostat

2. Slow Down and Adjust Your Matrix

3. Make “One More Try” the Norm

4. Control Time vs Time Controlling You

5. Reframe your Emotional Mindset

6. Fine Tune your Associations

7. Operate out of Imagination and Dreams vs History

8. Elevate your Standards

9. Ensure your Thoughts and Actions are Congruent … Then Act!

10. Be Intentional About your Habits and Rituals

11. Surround Yourself with People that Make you Better

12. Do the Difficult / Inconvenient Things

13. Be a “One More” Leader and Set the Bar High

14. Seek Equanimity – Condition your brain so you can achieve calmness even, and especially, while under duress.  The goal is to not allow your highs to get too high or your lows to get too low.  And to allow for controlled, critical thinking even when the stress and pressure are high.  Love this one and it’s particularly relevant when navigating a period of change or disruption!

15. Lean on your Faith / Prayer

Ultimately, the “Power of One More” teaches you to combine your gifts with directed, intentional thoughts and focused actions.  In other words, pay attention to what you’re paying attention to, be intentional when it comes to your development, and then take massive action!

Now grab that cup of coffee and remember … stay hydrated, eat healthy, take your vitamins … AND BE KIND!

Christine