Summary

The website content discusses the importance of adaptability and resilience in planning and leadership during times of uncertainty and change.

Abstract

The article emphasizes the need to reassess and update plans in response to uncertainty, advocating for a flexible approach to both personal and professional goals. It suggests that while core values and missions should remain steady, methods and specific objectives may need to be adjusted rapidly. The text highlights the personal experience of the author, who has shifted from in-person to virtual work environments, underscoring the dramatic changes that have occurred. The author encourages building resilience, maintaining a commitment to core values, and making deliberate progress, even in small steps, to navigate through uncertainty and achieve progress.

Opinions

The author believes that plans should be reevaluated frequently in times of high uncertainty and change.
It is acknowledged that adapting to new realities can be challenging but is necessary for continued success.
The author stresses that not all aspects of a plan need to change; critical elements should be kept in focus.
The shift to virtual interactions and increased outreach is seen as a significant change that has been effectively managed by the author's team.
Flexibility and adaptability are considered vital traits for individuals, teams, and organizations during uncertain times.
The author advocates for a systematic review of strategies, goals, and tasks to ensure alignment with the current environment.
Rapid change is encouraged, but it should be balanced with the need to avoid hasty decisions.
Self-care and care for others are highlighted as important components of developing resilience.
The author suggests that challenging times present valuable opportunities for growth and altering one's path forward.

How will you move forward?

When things are uncertain — update your plans

We are currently in a time of significant uncertainty.

We have a hard time seeing clearly into the future.

During times like these, reexamine your plans and determine what you are trying to accomplish, how you will do so, and what your next move is — these may all change daily.

It’s important to acknowledge this new reality and be clear on what needs to change and what should stay the same. This isn’t likely to be easy.

Lesson to Learn

We need to adjust our approach to planning, depending on the level of change and uncertainty.

Now may be an excellent time to both reassess your plans and make necessary changes.

For some, it may involve radical change.

We need to keep critical items front and center for our projects. Changing everything usually does not make sense.

However, uncertainty and dramatic environment changes may necessitate quick and meaningful alterations to our approaches and even our goals.

Answer for Me

At a professional level, the way I have had to work is vastly different.

Prior to March, I did so much of my work in person.

MACNY — The Manufacturers Association would hold events most days of the week in person. Now, we hold very few in-person sessions.

The level of change I have witnessed in such a short amount of time has been dramatic.

We have gone virtual and have increased both the amount and type of outreach we do. Our plans changed nearly overnight.

When I adjusted my approach, the team could follow my lead. When the team stepped up its change pace, we could serve more members.

We built capability and resiliency. It became clear that the change and uncertainty warranted both personal, professional, team, and organizational change.

I needed to be very flexible.

Action

When your world changes and becomes uncertain, be open to rapid change.

Determine what stays the same — like your values, overall mission, and commitment to others.

Be prepared to change your approach, goals, and pace of achievement.

Flexibility and adaptability are vital in times like these.

Develop resilience. Take care of yourself and others.

Take a second look at the plan and take small steps forward.

Move quickly to reestablish a positive approach to finding a way forward for you and your team.

Habits

Reexamine your plans.

Be open to changes that are needed each day.

Make reviewing your strategy, goals, and tasks a systematic effort.

Pick a path forward when change is warranted. When required, move quickly but don’t hurry.

Deliberate, daily progress over time can make a huge difference in your ability to cope with uncertainty, maintain hope, and achieve progress.

Each day is a new chance to review, commit, act, and evaluate. Remember to always be open to growth.

Challenging moments are often the best times to change plans and move ahead in a new direction.

To learn more about leadership visit me at www.macny.org.

To get a copy of my book Present-Future Leader, go to www.amazon.com.