Create Your Own Rules in Chaos

I love what I do. Over the years, I've had the opportunity to work with some very smart, incredibly talented, and wise leaders. It's a privilege to work with clients over time, watching them change, grow, and learn. For many of them, the past four years have been particularly turbulent.

In the past several weeks, I've had conversations with two clients (in different organizations) facing unprecedented disruption and uncertainty. I encouraged them to take a moment, reflect, and create their own rules for engagement and action amidst the craziness.

Reflection helps us make sense of chaos. It can ground us, establish a direction, and provide clarity on what to do next. To truly learn, we must act and reflect. Rules are a code of practice. Rules enable disciplined action to play well -- and win.

Here are four actual client examples of "rules" to help guide their actions moving forward:

1. Play the long game. It's easy to be focused on what's in front of you right now, the crisis du jour. Take a moment to step back, zoom out, and look ahead. What's the long-term win for you, professionally and personally? Why are you on the field in the first place?
2. Identify how you need to adapt. We are all like Elsa and probably need to let something go. What do you need to abandon and change immediately to be more effective in the future? Is it a mindset or skillset? What specifically do you need to learn?
3. Find the emerging opportunity. Optimism is the engine of resilience. Shift your focus from the doors closing to the possible door opening. Where can you invest your time and energy to create greater value? Seeing the nascent opportunity takes some time, creative thinking, and a fresh perspective.
4. Instill calm and confidence. It's tempting to complain and criticize when things seem to be going south. But make no mistake, people are watching -- especially your team and those above you. Optimistic thinking keeps you in the game and just may lead to the winning play.