Tips for Navigating Disruption with Creativity and Flexibility

🌟 Unleashing the Creative Spark: Strategies for a Sustained Innovation Journey 🌟 Throughout my innovation journey, I've discovered that we often bypass the necessary preconditions for nurturing creativity. It's a nuanced equilibrium, a blend of components that, when harmoniously combined, unleash our inventive spirits' full potential. Let me share with you the pivotal elements from my reflections: 1️⃣ Space: More than a physical corner, it's an expansive mindset. In my quest for creativity, I've found that both openness and curiosity are vital. Cultivating environments—be it physical, mental, or social—that promote broad thinking has been key. 2️⃣ Improvisation: The prowess to think swiftly and adapt spontaneously has been indispensable. Not merely confined to structured plans, but even more about gracefully navigating the unforeseen. 3️⃣ First Principles Thinking: Deconstructing complex issues to their essence and reassembling solutions from the bottom up has allowed me to innovate based on what genuinely works beyond assumptions. 4️⃣ Comfort in the Unknown: Embracing the lack of answers has led me to unconventional solutions. Lingering in uncertainty has been a gateway to exploring complex problems. 5️⃣ Safety for Autonomy: Free thought stems from a sense of security. It's in the safety of thought that the autonomy of the self is born, creating a sanctuary where ideas can thrive. 6️⃣ Embodiment: Acknowledging that our bodies are reservoirs of memories and insights, and learning to listen to its wisdom has opened unexpected paths for my creative thinking. 7️⃣ Dynamic Environment: Constantly stimulating and challenging my routine thought processes and perceptions has kept my mind flexible and open to new concepts. 8️⃣ Reflective Reservoir: I've learned that returning to past ideas with fresh eyes can transform dormant thoughts into renewed, actionable innovations. Some ideas also need time to evolve. 9️⃣ Time Travel: I tackle problems by envisioning the desired outcome and plotting the course backward. This method simplifies complexity, offering a clear, attainable plan for achieving objectives. 🔟 Boredom: I've embraced the lack of stimulation as a prelude to a creative surge. In the quiet, some idea seeds find fertile ground to sprout. 🔍 I'm curious about your strategies to tap into creativity and flow. What practices fuel your creative engine? Do any of the practices above resonate with you? I look forward to reading your insights and hope we can refine our collective approach to sustaining creativity and innovation.

Years ago, during YET ANOTHER reorganization, I was introduced to "Managing Transitions" by William Bridges. Today, I want to share an insight from the book that reshaped my approach to #change. Change, often perceived as an external force—be it a reorganization, a technological breakthrough, or a shift in policy—sets the stage. Yet, it's the **internal process of transition** that truly defines our journey. Much like the Kubler-Ross stages of grief, transitions evoke a spectrum of emotions. My key takeaway? The Transition Zone is not merely a phase of turmoil but a unique place for opportunity. In this zone, amidst the whirlwind of undirected energy, lies the potential for anxiety and confusion. However, if navigated wisely, it becomes a fertile ground for unprecedented creativity. It's a chance to reassess the evolving landscape and carve out a niche that not only aligns with your new structure or processes but also amplifies your unique contributions. I sit at the intersection of #healthcare and #AI, where change is the only constant (except for faxes, apparently); embracing the Transition Zone has enabled me to guide teams with an optimistic realism. Together, we've transformed potential anxieties into solutions that not only anticipate the future of health but actively shape it. But how do we consistently harness this undirected energy into creative and productive channels, especially in an industry as critical and fast-evolving as healthcare? The answer lies in fostering a culture that values **adaptability, continuous learning, and the courage to embrace the unknown**. **Call to Action**: I invite you to share your experiences with navigating transitions within your own work. How have you turned the challenges of change into opportunities for growth and innovation? Let’s discuss strategies that can help us lead our teams through the tumultuous yet rewarding journey of transformation.

My Take: Harnessing the Power of Resilience for Growth and Innovation Resilience is crucial for individuals and businesses, especially when faced with inevitable disruptions. In my book Hard Ships, I present a perspective on resilience informed by my experiences in the cruise industry and my personal life. I view resilience as: Foundational: Resilience isn't just about surviving disruptions but using those experiences to build a stronger foundation for future success. The challenges we face and overcome cultivate an "endurance mindset," enabling us to navigate future disruptions with greater preparedness and a better understanding of our strengths. A Muscle to be Trained: Developing resilience is an ongoing process that requires actively engaging with challenges and learning from both successes and failures. It's about deliberate practice, applying lessons from past disruptions to better prepare for future ones. A Source of Innovation: Disruption can be a catalyst for radical innovation. Overcoming challenges often necessitates new approaches, pushing us to adapt, innovate, and ultimately emerge stronger and more competitive. In Hard Ships, I outline strategies for developing resilience through six protocols for navigating disruption: 1. Know Your Waypoint: Confront the truth about your current situation, identify challenges, and assess available resources. By understanding the present reality, we can make informed decisions about the best course of action. 2. Stay Afloat: Emphasize financial stability and resource management, particularly during crises. Preserve cash, secure financing, and carefully consider the long-term implications of financial decisions. 3. Find Your First First: Prioritize during a crisis by identifying the most critical task that must be addressed to ensure survival and stability. 4. Get Flexible: Embrace adaptability and a willingness to change. Adjust strategies, operations, and mindsets to align with new realities presented by disruptive events. 5. Become Collision Proof: Prepare and manage risks by developing comprehensive incident response plans and proactively identifying and mitigating potential threats. 6. Protect Your Value: Maintain a long-term vision and core values. Avoid compromising brand value and customer trust for short-term gains. Focus on clear communication, consistent quality, and intrinsic value. By adopting an endurance mindset and consistently practicing these protocols, we can weather periods of disruption and leverage these experiences as opportunities for growth and innovation. Onward! #resilience #strategy #innovation

🚀𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗪𝗮𝘆𝘀 𝗧𝗼 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗧𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗿𝘂𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗡𝗼𝘄   ❓Ready to lead through disruption like a pro?   Every day brings new curveballs – AI taking over jobs, remote work becoming the norm... But remember Blockbuster? They clung to their outdated model and went poof! 💨   Enter Netflix – the agile leader who saw the writing on the wall and became a global powerhouse. The secret? Agility. Forget predicting the future – it's all about adapting quickly. 💡   I once coached a fitness company CEO facing major disruption. Their gyms were collecting dust as online workouts exploded. Sound familiar? 😬   But here's the kicker: by embracing agility, they not only survived disruption, but they also thrived in the digital fitness world! 🏋️♂️   Here are 3 power moves to become an agile leader:   1️⃣ Ditch the Crystal Ball: Focus on experimentation and encourage calculated risks. Fail fast, learn faster! 2️⃣ Embrace Continuous Learning: Stay curious, read, attend conferences. Be ready to pivot like Netflix! 3️⃣ Empower Your Team: Trust, delegate, unleash creativity. An empowered team thrives in change.   Feeling stuck? Don't worry, I've got your back! Stay tuned for specific strategies to build your agility. Share your biggest leadership disruption challenge below! 💬   💪 Let's keep this conversation going! Follow me and share this live session with your network. Together, we can thrive in disruption!   #Leadership #Agility #Disruption #LisaG #LisaGoldenthal

In my experience in the dynamic business world, I have come to recognize that change is the only constant. While it may seem daunting and challenging, I firmly believe that embracing change is not only essential for success but also crucial for personal and professional growth. Resisting change not only causes unnecessary stress but also hinders our ability to explore new pathways for growth and success. Although managing uncertainty can be difficult, it is important to acknowledge that uncertainty is an inherent part of the business landscape. Instead of expending energy on resistance, we should focus on adapting and thriving in the face of change. Throughout my journey, I have discovered several strategies that have helped me navigate the winds of change and emerge stronger: Foster a Growth Mindset: By embracing a growth mindset, I have learned to view change as an opportunity for personal and professional development. Rather than fearing challenges, I now perceive them as stepping stones to success. This shift in perspective has enabled me to approach change with optimism and an eagerness to learn. Stay Agile and Flexible: In today's rapidly evolving environment, agility and flexibility are paramount. I have cultivated a mindset that embraces new ideas and approaches, allowing me to adapt my strategies swiftly and effectively when necessary. Embrace Innovation: I have made it a priority to foster a culture of innovation within my organization. By embracing emerging technologies, trends, and ideas, I have been able to propel my business forward and maintain a competitive edge. Continuous Learning: I firmly believe in the power of continuous learning. Staying abreast of industry trends, attending conferences, and actively seeking new knowledge and skills have been instrumental in my ability to remain relevant and adaptable. Communicate Effectively: Clear and transparent communication is paramount during times of change. By fostering open lines of communication, we can ensure that everyone is aligned and working towards a common goal. This facilitates a smooth transition and minimizes resistance. Change should not be perceived as a threat but rather as an opportunity for growth and innovation. By embracing change and implementing these strategies, we can adapt and thrive in an ever-evolving business landscape. . . . #changemanagement #embracingchange #innovation #businessgrowth #professionaldevelopment #adaptability #agility #continuouslearning #effectivecommunication

Thank you Alison Go for inviting me to speak to such an interesting group of graduate students of Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), during your “Leadership in Times of Disruption” class. I always benefit from fresh perspectives and love engaging with students. These opportunities allow me to reflect on my own experience, and hopefully inspire a conversation. In retrospective, things seem much more coherent ;-). In my 20s I managed a global programme that operated out of two offices, with a large client base around the world and a diverse team who was confronted with many challenges, including a major disruption in the market (2008) that shook our business model. While I learned and grew so much myself, I reflected on a few key values that guided me through this time: 1)      #empathy : putting people first. Behind every business, job, team, there are individuals. Each one of them matters. They also hold many answers to your questions. 2)      #perspective : user-centered problem-solving. Every client, partner and stakeholder has part of the answer. What are the changing needs you are trying to meet? 3)      #vision : Believing in a future version that delivers. You need to be able to see and formulate the vision and then align everything (operations and programme) to work towards that vision. 4)      What’s needed next is: #buildingtrust , #courage , #walkingthetalk , #iterating and adapting…. 5)      And lastly: #yesand. Because things happen, curveballs fly in, the market/ecosystem keep evolving and so do needs….and you have to keep fueling the engine that follows the vision, improvising along the way and embracing the disruption, but not losing focus of the objective. This brings me back to the theme of the class: Leadership in times of disruption The truth is, there is always disruption. What matters is the foundation that you build, the trust, the people, the energy and confidence so the team can overcome the obstacles. That’s when the #magic and the #innovation happens! What are your learnings from leading in disruptive times? #leadership #disruption #changemanagement #changemakers #teamwork

The strategies of resilience for creativity and innovation in business: 🌳 Fostering a growth mindset is pivotal; viewing challenges as opportunities for growth rather than insurmountable barriers cultivates a mindset primed for innovation. 🌳 Cultivating a supportive environment is essential; creating spaces where diverse perspectives are valued and collaboration is encouraged fosters collective resilience. Establishing structured yet flexible processes also allows for iterative experimentation, enabling you to pivot gracefully in the face of setbacks. 🌳 Incorporating mindfulness and self-care practices further enhances resilience, ensuring that individuals maintain their creative edge while navigating the inevitable ebbs and flows of the innovation journey.