What you need now...

It's pretty crazy right now. Most of us are doing things we haven't done before (or at least we haven't done much). When placed in an unfamiliar situation, we tend to go to our tendencies. When the situation is more unprecedented than unfamiliar, we cast about looking for something to stave off the pain of uncertainty. (Apparently that requires large quantities of toilet paper.) We must remind ourselves that this is a temporary situation. The ones who have prepared for 'what's next' will be the ones to lead us into the new world.

What you need now is someone who is accustomed to working in ambiguity. You need someone who doesn't panic when the path forward is uncharted. You need someone who is accustomed to looking at data from multiple perspectives, to redefining problems - often repeatedly - until they are solvable, to re-purposing resources to fit new needs. What you need now is a strategist.

Life both is and is not the Kobayashi Maru. It is a test of character. When we encounter novel situations, we reveal our character - particularly when there is no clear solution available. It is not a no-win situation. If you can't find the solution, change your perspective. Most often your greatest challenge is not the one facing you but your inability to rethink the situation in a manner that reveals a potential solution. This is not a gift or a talent; it's a skill, which means it can be learned. If you don't already have it, find someone who does have it or who can teach you.

As a graduate instructor tasked with training students on the methods and applications of strategic thinking, I stress the importance of trusting your instincts. Your subconscious is constantly working to inform you of the risks and opportunities available in the moment. An unsettled feeling is an indication that there is something you haven't considered. When you feel like you've reached a roadblock, that's the moment to redefine the problem.

As a small business owner I have an extremely unsettled feeling right now. But, as a strategist, I know that there are opportunities here that I haven't yet considered. I know that my corporate partners and clients are going through the same feelings themselves. My advice to them will be to consult with their insights professionals, many of whom have likely mentally played out these scenarios multiple times. They are accustomed to working with "in process" data, adapting to situations on the fly, and, really, just generally working in a state of ambiguity.

If you don't have insights professionals on staff, contact me. I train them, I work with them, and I can put you in touch with them. I have conducted one-day workshops with corporate strategy groups to train them to be flexible in their thinking. By mid-afternoon, many of the challenges that had perplexed them for weeks (or longer) suddenly seemed solvable. It's not magic; it's training. I've seen it many times and I know that it is within you and your team.

Just remember that this is not a time to huddle and wonder; this is a time to read trends, to anticipate next steps, and to develop a strategic plan to get you through the next week, the next month, and then the next stage.

Stay safe, stay kind, and wash your hands.