Don't let the election–or other big events–steal your focus, especially amidst change.
The election, the election: these days, it’s almost all anyone can talk about. As an American living in Canada who works mainly in the U.S., I have to admit that I’m a little bit addicted to the constant discussion of battleground states, polls, debates, and projections! (And, my Canadian friends, neighbors and relatives often ask me to explain it…and, it’s often really hard to come up with an answer that makes sense!)
And while I follow the news of the day as much as anyone and care deeply about the outcome, here’s the thing: whoever wins the election, it doesn't matter.
Now, I'm not trying to be glib. Of course, there will be serious policy implications regardless of the victor. The next administration will shape our lives, work, and economy in myriad ways, big and small. Of that, there's no doubt.
What doesn't matter, though, regardless of the outcome, is the inevitability of change. What matters to you and me is that we can't stop and wait. We can't put our companies and our plans goals on hold. We can't wait and see. We must keep going and adjust as needed when the results are in.
Living in a VUCA world
This isn’t just true during election seasons but is an important lesson all the time. The world is in a state of accelerated change. As I wrote in a recent blog post, we live in an age of endless distractions, where it feels like the ground is constantly shifting beneath us, with competing priorities coming at us fast and furious.
The term VUCA – first used at the US Army War College in 1987 – pretty much sums up our times: volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. It’s what our team describes as a world of perpetual whitewater.
Developing the skills to overcome distraction, to stay calm and focused even in the proverbial storm, and to keep on keeping on is a powerful leadership skill. Here's how to cultivate yours even in–especially–in uncertain times.
Revisit your vision
It can feel tempting in times of uncertainty to ignore our purpose or even risk abandoning it. In fact, this is when it's most important to double down and recommit to your core, even as it feels like everything is changing around you. It can be really helpful to step out of our day-to-day concerns and remember our bigger purpose. if you know who you are and what you stand for, that's immutable, and incredibly stabilizing
Connect with your team
That uncertainty you're feeling? Your team is feeling it, too. It's your job to make them feel motivated and also safe. The best leaders foster a culture of trust and transparency. That means communicating clearly, being supportive, and actively working to build stronger, more positive relationships with them.
Be a good role model
Your team looks to you for cues on how things are going, how to behave, and what's acceptable in your workplace. In times of uncertainty, this is more true than ever.
You need to model the kind of calm focus and dedication that you want from your staff. That might mean working extra hard to manage your frustrations or to embody a positive energy you might not necessarily feel. This is one of those times when you should fake it till you make it.
Control what you can
We are bombarded by so many things grabbing for our attention every day that it is impossible to pay attention to them all. So, don’t bother trying. To paraphrase a line I first heard used by Dan Patrick on ESPN’s SportCenter sometime in the last century , “You can’t stop it; you can only hope to contain it!”
The simple act of setting priorities and developing a system for effectively managing them can go a long way. A great place to start is the elegantly simple Time Management Matrix, with its four boxes plotting tasks along the urgent/non-urgent and important/not important axes. Once you've plotted out your tasks and priorities on The Matrix, ask yourself a few questions: Many of us spend a lot of time on Important, Urgent tasks. How might we change what we do to minimize the number of them in the future? What low-importance tasks can you eliminate so you can spend more time on your important, non-urgent tasks?
Plan for the future
Just because the future is unknowable and the present feels uncertain doesn't mean we can't look to the future and plan for it as much as possible. This is what risk management is all about: proactively identifying potential risks and developing contingency plans. This forward-thinking approach helps you anticipate challenges without becoming paralyzed by the prospect of what might or might not happen.
As November 5th draws near, it's helpful to remember this is not our first election, nor will it be our last. (At least, we hope it won’t be!) Whatever happens, your team is looking to you to be focused amidst change, lead them and your organization through it.
Comments