It is so tempting. Things start to go crazy, and we want to control it. We want to deal with the anxiety, both ours and those around us.
We want predictability, to know that promises made can and will be kept. So, we try to control it, to outrun or tamp down the changes.
But in these volatile days, and maybe most of the time, that is just a bad game of whack-a-mole that the moles win.
What to do instead? First make sure everyone is safe. For tips on that, see last week’s blog.
But then what? Here are some ideas.
- Scenario plan for the most likely challenges and PLAY with different approaches to problem solving. If you lead an organization or team, consider things like funding delays or AI changes. Both in terms of challenges and benefits. If you are working in a smaller place or community, or your own work, the same questions apply.
- Consider what it would mean to shift from the early 2000s idea of just in time to a model that looks at just in case. Just in time comes from the supply chain models. Those models used to focus on not getting materials until necessary, so you didn’t spend money until you had to, and didn’t have to store anything. That has changed to investing in materials just in case, you can’t get them or the pricing changes.
That applies to our people focused work too in terms of training, recruitment and hiring, grant development and so forth.
- Take a deep breath and take stock. Of what’s working. Of what you might be glad to jettison. Of what is stable, it’s likely more than you think.
Let me know what you think about all of this, just hit reply.
Best,
Julie
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