In a world that is constantly changing at exponential speed, people including business leaders must adapt to navigate through the storm of change quickly. When shifts happen or we are faced with a challenge, our human tendency is to react quickly based on established patterns, expectations, and societal demands.
This reflexive approach often leads to negative consequences and missed opportunities. For greater success when confronted with unexpected changes or problems, consider taking a step back first.
Reflect and honestly assess: “How will this really impact me and my organization?”
To effectively do this, you must be clear on your purpose. Ask yourself: What am I, my department, or company truly trying to achieve? This could be your long-term vision, annual goals, or project-specific objectives. By focusing on your purpose or company mission, you can then reflect on what a particular shift or issue actually means in this context.
Change is not always bad – even if it means establishing new patterns or stepping out of ‘the box’ of expectation ie the ‘shoulds’ of society.
Instead of seeking ways to avoid or fight against the change, ask yourself: “How might this change actually accelerate my ability to achieve my purpose? What new possibilities might this unlock?” This reframing transforms challenges from obstacles into potential opportunities.
Letting Go of Expectations
When faced with new demands, tools and approaches arise, future-ready leaders let go of past expectations and “should haves.”
By allowing yourself to explore possibilities, you can discover entirely new ways to achieve your purpose in light of or DUE to the new conditions. Consider how children approach problems with unfettered imagination. They often ask what if, why not, lets just try it…before societal constraints limit their creative thinking.
By understanding your purpose and recalling that youthful innovative mindset, you are positioned to adapt, take new paths and ultimately succeed in uncertain conditions.
It begins with making time to step back, consider your purpose, and then reflect on the situation at hand.
A Framework for Navigating Change Purpose
Through thoughtful reflection, you can tap into your intuition about what new possibilities might emerge. This leads to a practical approach:
1. Explore alternatives before jumping to action. When you’re clear on purpose, you can investigate different approaches or tools to achieve your goals under new conditions.
2. Act by taking small steps. Try a new tool, idea, or process without committing to wholesale change immediately.
3. Collaborate with others experiencing similar challenges. By sharing learnings, everyone benefits from collective wisdom.
4. Empower yourself and others when you find approaches that work. If your actions move you toward your purpose, do more of them. If not, explore alternatives and check in again. When you and your team develop confidence in an alternative approach that advances your purpose, this can become your “new normal” with defined actions. Your brain will create the neural pathways necessary for efficiency in this new comfort zone, allowing you to build new habits.
The Power of Incremental Progress
Taking small steps is crucial. Consider the wisdom in the phrase “Give us this day our daily bread.” This isn’t a request for weeks or months of sustenance—just enough for today. Take one day at a time, putting one foot in front of the other. By embracing change with a purpose-driven mindset, you develop the skills and resilience to approach uncertainty with confidence, without needing to know the outcome in advance—and without fearing what success might bring.
Are you struggling with ‘keeping up’, navigating through uncertainty or encouraging others to adapt? If so get in touch. I can be a sounding board and provide some proven tips to break through the challenges. Alternatively you are welcome to join me on the Journey into the Future – see info on https://www.jennifervessels.com/journey-into-the-future/