Perspective
"The human brain hates unplanned change", I shared with a friend.
"And you, someone who leads change, you should know this better than anyone", he replied ;)
No matter how much you know about setbacks, failure, change - it still stings, you just learn to deal with it more productively.
I had a trip planned.
It fell through. Meetings were cancelled. Things didn’t go as expected.
It didn’t feel good.
It felt like a waste - of energy, time, money and opportunity. I felt stupid for not looking into more details.
I’d made space for it. Prepared for it. Now I had to rework everything.
You know that feeling?
Even when you understand that plans are just educated guesses.
Even when you know some detours are for your own good, that the Universe might be nudging you somewhere better - it still doesn’t feel great.
It doesn’t like disruption, change, even when disruption is for growth... later. Like when you have to lose before you get good enough to win.
Change is uncomfortable - especially when it feels like it's done to you, like you didn't agree to it, you were not invited to the decision process.
And that’s why it’s important, as a leader, (or leading yourself) to experience it now and then.
It builds empathy, it build understanding.
It reminds you why people resist the changes you introduce. Whether that's coaching 1 person or changing entire organization.
Here’s what I do when things don’t go according to plan:
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I delay big decisions. I sleep on it. A good night’s rest puts distance between me and the event. Perspective comes after pause. The brain actually process events during sleep to help you make better decisions. Emotions go down. You can see things clearly.
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I reflect, What can I learn from this? Was there something I missed? What assumption or process failed me? What new thinking system or habit could prevent this in the future?
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I redirect, What outcome do I want now? What’s in my control? Then I act. Decisively. Simply.
And I always communicate.
To myself.
To others involved.
What’s happening. Why it’s happening.
What's the new plan? Towards what future?
Unplanned change won’t feel good. That’s normal.
But a little time, some sleep, good decision-making process and a lot of clarity will get you back on track, faster, stronger, and wiser.
