What to do when things don't go to plan
Phil Preston
Purpose Driven Business & Leadership | Speaker | Author | Strategist | Master Facilitator
In work and life, we all know that things don't always go to plan.
Over the past month?I've been shuttling between my home in Bulli (near Sydney) and Hobart to help look after a family member facing a confronting medical diagnosis.
Factors?outside of your?control make?you feel somewhat helpless. On the flip side, there are things we can control and I've found that having clarity of the desired outcome, or purpose, under the?best, worst and likely-case scenarios can improve our?decision-making.
This is essentially a purpose-enhanced critical thinking approach.
The backdrop for doing business is also subject to unexpected events and change, which is why this update covers a case study of transformational change - where our methodology challenges Simon Sinek's "Start with Why" - followed by a report?on leadership sessions for the CEO Institute.
A Case Study in Transformational Change
Carolyn Butler-Madden and I recently helped a company engage its leaders in transformational change.
It isn’t a company in crisis, it is building on its success. However, it needs its leaders to think and work differently in order to execute its strategy because the way they’ve gone about it in the past won’t produce the quantum of change required for sustaining them in the future.
Before the half day session we worked with the sponsors to gain insights into their organisation’s transformation journey so that we could meet the audience where they were at, including drawing out examples that reinforced the best of who they are.
While Simon Sinek’s “Start with Why” is a well known pathway, our unique approach is to “Start with Who” because it’s a powerful way of making purpose personal to every leader and building a shared narrative amongst the group.
We also devote time to making their purpose ‘real’ through a series of table exercises using a who-why-how-what structure.
We’re happy to say that, at the conclusion of the session, their CEO came rushing up to thank us for our guidance, the energy we brought to it and the valuable new perspectives gained.?
He said it was perfect for their current stage of development and pointed to the outputs of one exercise that were on a white board, noting, “there’s our strategy right there”.
For us, it's another proof point that we are playing a bigger game by?bringing more value to our clients?through our partnership. ?
A Group of CEOs Finding Their?Purpose as Leaders!
This photo is from one of several sessions for the The CEO Institute , helping their cohort members find, and in some cases refine, their purpose as leaders.
A?common theme amongst many in the room in terms of?their desires is to create better pathways for the?next generation of leaders to rise in their respective businesses.
领英推荐
The key outcome of these sessions is identifying the unique and valuable elements that define them as leaders so they can?maximise their performance potential, and you can find out more in this two-page brochure .
"Thanks Phil. Definitely a lot of reflection and vulnerability during the session.”
"A really thought provoking session thank you."
"Really liked the workshop structure where members did work themselves and in groups." ?
Our Next Private Dinner Event
Carolyn and I are curating?a second?private dinner event in Sydney for purpose-driven leaders, which is?invitation-only for company leaders in?c-suite or?'heads of' roles.
If you are interested or want to make a referral, find?more info here , and you can view the video highlights from the first event. ?
Thanks for reading
Before wrapping up, a few more things to mention.
In case you missed it last time and you are purpose-curious, check out my CEO Magazine article:?Here’s how to align your business with a clear purpose .
For event speaking and facilitation, I've updated?my speaker brochure to include the new topic?Leading Change with Purpose?which is ideal for injecting energy in the early?stages of change and transformation?processes,?or when you need to rally your people?around a pressing issue or challenge.
If you'd like?to discuss?anything mentioned here or the issues you're facing, you are welcome to?message me, add a comment or book a zoom call .
Thanks for reading?and I wish you happy times on your?purpose journey!
Yours on Purpose
Phil Preston
Purpose, Leadership & Change
Book coach and adviser to business leaders. Self publishing expert. Author. Increase your impact, recognition and visibility. Write, publish and successfully sell your business book. I can show you how. Ask me now.
2 个月Phil Preston Yep. things don't go to plan all the time...and it's a good idea to learn that we can't control everything...well most things really.