March 23, 2020
Are you rattled?
I’m rattled.
As a “certainty addict”, uncertain times make clear thinking and decision making a challenge. It‘s important for us to rise above the noise and find the best path forward.
There will be many conversations that we will have with others, but none of those conversations are as important as the ones we have with ourselves.
To filter out the noise, sit down with a pen and paper and answer these questions. Your answers may be the key to maintaining forward momentum.
- What should I focus on? As a Business Coach I typically advise my clients to spend 75 percent of their time on what matters most. Focusing on crafting vision, building alignment, and championing execution is always the vital work of leaders.Panicking and constantly scrambling to put out fires will not serve you well — or those you lead. As the leader of your business, make sure that you continue leading as a non-anxious presence in the face of an anxious environment. Resist scrambling and keep leading.
- Am I willing to slow down and consider? This question often flies in the face of the “fight or flight” reflex that’s inside of all of us. As leaders, we want to appear decisive and confident in the face of urgent issues. But great leaders resist the temptation to act impulsively. Instead, they slow down and take measured and strategic steps that create both confidence and open up the doors to future opportunities.Take the time to pause, plan, and set new short-term goals. Determine to make clear and thoughtful decisions. In spite of people around you who may be clamouring for quick decisions, remain resolute and take a measured response.
- Which short-term decision holds the greatest potential? Eventually the world will recover and the economy will be robust again. Instead of knee-jerk reactions, use the SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) to create an action plan that will position you for long-term success.This might be the exact time for you to make the changes that you’ve been wanting to make. Things may get back to normal — it’s possible — but there’s also a chance that things may never be the same again. What adjustments and pivots are you willing to make to move ahead?
- Who are your “Big Four”? This is not the time to go it alone. But it’s also not the time to get bad advice from the wrong people. In times of business crisis, it’s important to get input from your trusted advisors.At Rhapsody Strategies we recommend you have conversations with your Big Four; your Accountant, your Business Lawyer, your Business Coach and your Financial Advisor. These wise professionals typically understand your business and have your best interests in mind. This is not the time for amateur perspectives.
This is not the time to be an “all alone” leader.
Reach out. Seek help.
We are here for you.
Steve Osmond is a Professional Business Coach. He has been compiling strategies for leaders for over 30 years – and has delivered over 10,000 hours of inspiring, humorous and hard-hitting content – to people of all ages and from every walk of life – from multi-millionaires to the marginalized. Find out more about Steve.
