Strategies for Personal Productivity During Change

One thing I’ve learned from coaching leaders — and from being alive for 53 years — is that plans rarely go as planned. The timeline shifts. A key player leaves. Priorities pivot. And how you respond makes all the difference—to your results, your relationships, and your resilience. Flexibility is about showing up—curious, calm, and ready to shift when needed. The most successful professionals I know build their mental and emotional flexibility like they would their physical flexibility. Want to strengthen yours? Try this: 1. Shake up your routine on purpose. New coffee shop. Different order of tasks. Eat breakfast before checking your email. (You can do it — I believe in you!) Just to stay limber. 2. When change hits, name your emotion before jumping into action (“I’m annoyed—and I’ve got this”). 3. Keep “Plan B” thinking on deck. Ask yourself: “If this doesn’t go as expected, then what?” 4. Don’t do it alone. A quick gut-check with a trusted colleague can help you reset faster and move forward smarter. 5. After the dust settles, ask: What did I learn? What would I do differently next time? What am I proud of? Plans may change. No, plans WILL change. You don’t have to fall apart with them. #resilience #emotionalintelligence #changemanagement

We've made our plan for the last 9 quarters at Section. We basically had no choice - to rebuild the confidence of the team, the board, and frankly myself. But what has shocked me: HOW we are making the plan is radically different than what I would have done six months ago. The products, pricing, positioning, people are not what I initially planned or expected. In 30+ years, I have never experienced this rate of change. Right now, I think we're all grappling with "what is my value going to be in the age of AI?" My thinking: The most valuable skill today isn't any specific expertise. It's the ability to absorb and react to change. Here's what I want from my people: - Raw mental agility. Can you think fast and move between contexts without getting stuck? - Emotional resilience. Can you hear about a major change and not freak out / spin your wheels / create drama? - Speed of response. Can you absorb change, take a few hours to think about it, and come back with a V1 plan? If you're someone who reacts to change by complaining, stirring the pot, digging in your heels, etc., you're going to struggle in this environment. The challengers (less-experienced but fast-moving) will eat your lunch before you can process that it's happening. If you're an incumbent, be the incumbent that absorbs change quickly with no freakout. And be the first to propose the way forward. More advice here: https://lnkd.in/ekXQWMgc

Reading the Wall Street Journal this morning got my attention. Several articles focused on slower hiring. One introduced me to a concept called “job hugging.” This is where workers cling to their current roles due to economic and career growth uncertainties. I had to sit with this information to empathize and get spirit. No judgments; here's what I came up with. It's understandable to feel anxious, but staying put doesn't have to mean your career is stagnating. Reinvention doesn't always require outside opportunities; many companies are evolving, opening up new internal possibilities. We recorded Mike Hayes on the Revenue Builders Podcast yesterday. Mike is the author of the newly released book Mission Driven: The Path to a Life of Purpose. Here’s what Mike shared with us to make the most of this moment and set yourself up to thrive, whether you're actively searching or cultivating growth in your current role: • Focus on "Who" over "What": It's not merely about "what you want to be" (a title or position) but "who you want to be." • Seek and Embrace Feedback: Regularly ask for and provide yourself with feedback • Align with Your Energy: Identify the intersection of "what gives you energy, what you are good at, and what the business needs". The closer your role aligns with what energizes you, the less it feels like work. • Cultivate Meta Skills and Adaptability: Change is a constant, and developing "meta skills" like agility, resilience, intentionality with your emotions, and a strong work ethic (drive, hunger, curiosity) is paramount. • Play the Long Game and Short Game: Your "long game" is your overarching career plan and purpose, while the "short game" involves the daily actions and skills needed to deal with constant change. Additional ideas:     ◦ Deliver Impact: Focus on work directly contributing to business outcomes like revenue, cost savings, or efficiency.     ◦ Expand Horizontally: Volunteer for side projects, internal committees, or cross-team initiatives to build new skills and gain exposure.     ◦ Be Indispensable: Develop expertise in critical tools or processes.     ◦ Upskill: Take advantage of employer-offered training, especially in high-demand areas like AI and digital skills.     ◦ Network Constantly: Build and maintain relationships; "the worst time to look for a job is when you are desperate".     ◦ Reflect and Plan: Consider your goals and current role. Regularly update your "brag document" of achievements. Employers value adaptability, clear business impact, and self-driven learning. By investing in your "who" and strategically developing your "what," you can stand out and continue to grow professionally, regardless of market conditions. What strategies are you focusing on right now? Share your thoughts below! #BeUncommon #BeElite #BeMissionDriven