Struck Down by Bacteria, Resilience Prevails

Hi everyone, I hope this post finds you well.

First, I want to thank everyone who asked about my recent absence from Trend Hacker. Did I cancel it? Was I on spontaneous vacation (unfortunately not)?

However, something else happened: I've been unexpectedly sidelined for the past two weeks, recovering from bacterial pneumonia, a nasty side effect of a recent vaccination against pneumonia. Well, what can I say...

As you can imagine, this experience has been quite a journey. It's a stark reminder of life's unpredictability and the importance of caring for our health, which links very well to the critical role of resilience. It's been a wake-up call about the fragility of our well-being and how quickly unexpected challenges can disrupt our lives. This experience has highlighted the importance, once again, of resilience - not just bouncing back but setting a new level of future success.

Resilience is about more than just overcoming obstacles; it's about making a larger step forward after you get beyond the crises: you evolve. It's about finding opportunities amidst challenges and emerging stronger on the other side. It's about cultivating a mindset that allows us to adapt, learn, and thrive, even when faced with setbacks.

What can I do to be even better prepared if the wrong bacteria, the 2-micrometer beast, hit again?

What is Resilience, Really? It's about:

Anticipation

Looking ahead involves actively identifying potential challenges and preparing for them. This means adopting a "what could go wrong" mindset and thoroughly exploring various scenarios. This is not about negativism, which I hear sometimes. It is all about being better prepared.

This proactive approach extends to creating a "worst-case" portfolio that outlines potential risks and their potential impact. This concept aligns with my "double loop innovation lab" approach, which emphasizes that the goal of an innovation lab is to create alternatives that can be used for new value creation and in case of crises. These options can serve multiple purposes: they can add new value in normal circumstances or be readily available to address crises.

The importance of optionality must be considered, especially in innovation. It's crucial to remember that innovation isn't solely about achieving glory; it's about addressing the pragmatic realities of a company's survival and growth.

Adaptation

This is about being flexible and adjusting strategies, processes, and structures in response to changing circumstances. This involves a willingness to experiment and face the truth while avoiding ego-driven decision-making. It's crucial to recognize that waiting for all key indicators to signal blinking red on the dashboard or for a crisis to reach a breaking point (like a body temperature exceeding 41 degrees Celsius) can be too late.

Complex systems (as any organization is) or biological organisms need time to react to change. If a decision to adapt is made too late, the negative impact may still be overwhelming, potentially leading to the demise of a company or, in the case of a health issue, a person's inability to fight off an infection.

So, we have not only an option portfolio but also a high level of diversity, experimentation, and the willingness to make decisions. One step in this direction is to have not only an option portfolio to increase preparedness but also an innovation portfolio in execution that balances small to large ideas, low risk to high risk, and rewards. Short: experimentation with a plan.

Human-Centricity

Prioritizing employees at the heart of resilience strategies is crucial for long-term success. When employees trust their leadership and feel valued, they are more likely to embrace change positively, even if it means short-term sacrifices.

However, many companies prioritize immediate action during crises, often neglecting the well-being of their employees. While understandable, this approach can have negative consequences. For example, in Austria's tourism sector, widespread layoffs during the pandemic led to a severe staffing shortage as the industry recovered. This happened because former employees found better opportunities elsewhere, seeking environments that valued their contributions and well-being. These employees recognized that their skills and experience were in high demand and sought employers willing to invest in their professional development and offer competitive compensation packages. Additionally, many former tourism employees found that the pandemic allowed them to explore new career paths better aligned with their personal and professional goals. As a result, the tourism industry faced a significant challenge in attracting and retaining qualified talent.

So, people-first...again!

Strategic Flexibility

While crises often force organizations to adapt, a proactive approach to embracing change can be more beneficial. Instead of waiting for a crisis to necessitate a shift in strategy, companies should foster a culture that encourages open-mindedness, flexibility, and a willingness to pivot.

Despite the presence of set KPIs or OKRs and linked bonuses, it's crucial to maintain flexibility in adjusting strategic goals. There's no advantage in sticking to a course of action that is clearly not working simply because time and effort have been invested. This is a classic example of the sunk cost fallacy—the tendency to continue investing in something that isn't yielding results due to a reluctance to admit failure. This bias can be seen in various contexts, from personal projects to the stock market.

Organizations often fall into this trap when setting strategic goals or receiving negative project updates. However, the choice is simple: either the current strategy is still aligned with the overall goals or a decision must be made to change course. While this may seem straightforward in theory, it can be challenging to implement in practice due to various factors such as organizational inertia, fear of failure, and internal politics.

Remember, resilience is not about being perfect. It's about being human. It's about acknowledging our vulnerabilities, learning from our mistakes, and finding the strength to keep going, even when things get tough. Remember, the most resilient individuals are not those who never fall but those who rise every time they fall.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support. I look forward to sharing to share Future Stories again next Tuesday!