When matters unravel, the imagination runs wild with the harmful consequences that might occur. The worry over what might happen can be a huge distraction that gets in the way of sound thinking and quality decisions.
Several years back, I led an amazing team. The industry we were in was likely to crash (it did). So we knew the possibility of losing our jobs was a question of when not if. I pulled my team together and we had a long conversation. After we put all our fears on the table, I told them we have a choice. We can sit back and wait for it to happen, or we could double-down and finish what we had started. All but two were onboard. The two quickly jumped ship but the rest stayed and for the next 12 months. We produced some of the best work I’ve done in my entire career. Most of us stayed until the end going down with the ship (there was a slight chance my team would be picked up by the acquiring company). I look aback on those days with no regrets.
Several years back, I led an amazing team. The industry we were in was likely to crash (it did). So we knew the possibility of losing our jobs was a question of when not if. I pulled my team together and we had a long conversation. After we put all our fears on the table, I told them we have a choice. We can sit back and wait for it to happen, or we could double-down and finish what we had started. All but two were onboard. The two quickly jumped ship but the rest stayed and for the next 12 months. We produced some of the best work I’ve done in my entire career. Most of us stayed until the end going down with the ship (there was a slight chance my team would be picked up by the acquiring company). I look aback on those days with no regrets.