Life of a Managing Director: How Uncertain Times Made Me a Better MD

Who knew a global pandemic would become the ultimate crash course in adaptability and innovation? Certainly not me! When Covid hit, I found myself in a whirlwind of event cancellations and unexpected challenges.

Picture this: I couldn’t even be a delivery driver because of a few pesky points on my license. Talk about adding insult to injury!

Here’s how those uncertain times made me a better MD. From adapting on the fly to fostering flexibility and creativity under pressure, and offering a bit of encouragement for businesses facing their own set of challenges…

Adapting to Challenges

Covid, surprisingly, was another pivotal moment for our company. As events started getting cancelled, I couldn’t even be a delivery driver due to points on my license. But a tip from my cousin about Zoom led us to launch online escape rooms . We offered around 150 free events to showcase what we could do. By December 2020, we had 135 virtual events in one month. Adapting quickly and continuously updating our games was key to thriving during that period. Trust your gut, if you make people feel good and bring good energy, you can give a different positive effect.

Maintaining Flexibility and Creativity Under Pressure

In events, you’re always under pressure. As an MD, there are a lot of different pressures on me. If I can have time at the beginning or end of the day to check in with the team and communicate to see what pressures everyone else is under, you can see when you need to be flexible. It helps identify what is working well or needs to be changed. Communicate with other leaders to avoid being impulsive – a lesson I learned the hard way.

For Any Businesses Facing Uncertain Situations

Uncertain times can be daunting, but they also present opportunities for growth and innovation. By staying flexible, being creative under pressure, and maintaining open communication within your team, you can navigate challenges more effectively. Remember to trust your instincts and focus on creating positive experiences for your clients and employees.

How to Navigate Uncertain Times and Adapting

Trust your gut. If you make people feel good, they’ll have fun. During the pandemic, virtual events were dull, so we invested in a green screen to bring energy and positivity to these events. This different approach had a great effect.

To maintain flexibility and creativity under pressure, carve out time to reflect and talk to your team. Discussing ideas with industry peers and my wife, who’s in a strong leadership role, helps. Get soundbites from others, think things through, and avoid impulsiveness.

Staying Resilient in Uncertain Times

Resilience is one of our company values . You can learn to be more resilient by overcoming challenges. I got divorced and wasn’t as resilient as I thought I’d be, but I learned from it and became stronger. Every negative experience you overcome builds resilience.

For businesses facing uncertain times, remember what made you successful initially and return to those basics. Focus on your strengths and ensure your team is doing what they’re good at. If your role has shifted, delegate tasks to others so you can concentrate on your zone of genius.

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