Updated: Oct 5, 2021
The answer is โof course you areโ! Itโs almost a rhetorical question at the moment, isnโt it?
In Australia and across the world weโre battling disruption on many fronts. As I write this, I should be packing my bags to go on our first family holiday in 18 months. However, within the last 24 hours, these plans have unravelled like a hole in a knitted jumper. Now, they are just a tangled pile of wool on the floor.
Iโm not alone. There are millions of people dealing with unexpected and unwelcome events with consequences big and small.
As an optimist, I can find the silver lining in pretty much any situation. I mean, it could be worse, right?
As a dear friend reminded me some time ago, โjust because others have it worse or it could have been worse, doesnโt mean whatโs happened isnโt sh*tโ. Itโs not fair and it sucks!
In times like these, being โnaturally positiveโ can be a good thing, but there are times when itโs unhelpful. As I learnt the hard way around 10 years ago, this is especially so when we're leading others. Our โput a smile on your dialโ attitude can be seen as though we donโt appreciate the gravity of the new situation. We can also come across as lacking empathy or being insensitive to how the disruption has impacted others.
On the other hand, weโve all got important jobs to do and wallowing in our disappointment isnโt going to get them done.
So, what can you do?
Whether your 'team' is in your workplace or in your lounge room, the following 7-step conversation will help.
Pause - Donโt do anything until youโve taken time to think (even if itโs just 30 seconds)
People - Where is everyone? How are they feeling? What does this mean for them? How am I feeling? What does it mean for me? What do we need now?
Purpose - What were we trying to achieve before we were so rudely interrupted?
Plan - Which elements are still intact and which ones have fallen apart?
Possibilities - Are there any opportunities that are available now that werenโt available before?
Priorities - Whatโs most important versus โworry about it laterโ?
Path - How can we move forward and what do we need to do next?
Today, I am at Step 2. In fact, I have given myself permission to be unapologetically disappointed, frustrated and โover-this-whole-COVID-thingโ ALL day.
Tomorrow, however, that will stop, because thereโs still a holiday to be had, even if itโs not the one that was planned. Who knows? Maybe it will be an even better one.
Hang in there and keep calm and curious.