{"id":22456,"date":"2020-11-20T09:58:26","date_gmt":"2020-11-20T09:58:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.experfy.com\/blog\/covid-19-mindshift-strategie-clear-path-forward\/"},"modified":"2023-10-04T18:19:52","modified_gmt":"2023-10-04T18:19:52","slug":"covid-19-mindshift-strategie-clear-path-forward","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.experfy.com\/blog\/future-of-work\/covid-19-mindshift-strategie-clear-path-forward\/","title":{"rendered":"Beyond Covid-19: Three Mindshift Strategies To Chart A Clear Path Forward"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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\u201cI\u2019m on a taskforce to determine what the future looks like, but everything changes day-to-day and week-to-week. There\u2019s no clear target. Things are so unsettled, and we\u2019re so exhausted from pivoting over and over again that we\u2019re not sure where to turn next.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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We heard those words, in various forms, from a dozen different CEOs and business leaders in the last few months. The end of 2020 is in sight, but the pandemic\u2019s end is not. We\u2019re all making decisions with short shelf lives and uncertain impact.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Earlier this week, we summarized the <\/a>insights of top thought leaders who have published articles on the \u201cfuture of work.\u201d<\/a> Their insights are helpful, but they aren\u2019t always contextual. What does all this mean for YOUR business?<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Below, we share three mind-shift strategies that can help you chart a clear path forward for your unique business context.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Three ideas to prepare your company for a post-pandemic<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Mindshift #1: Move from chaos to complexity<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Mary Uhl-Bien Beyond Covid-19: Three Mindshift Strategies To Chart A Clear Path Forward<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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We\u2019ve lived in a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, ambiguous) environment for the last 9 months. It can feel like chaos, and no one operates at their best in those circumstances. \u201cI would argue, instead, that we\u2019re now living in complexity,\u201d says\u00a0Dr. Mary Uhl-Bien, one of the world\u2019s foremost scholars on complexity leadership and a professor of leadership at Texas Christian University.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201cWe have chaos, complexity, and order,\u201d Uhl-Bien explains. Most people try to drive toward order, because that\u2019s what makes them comfortable. For now, though, Uhl-Bien says, work on making the mental shift from chaos to complexity.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Circumstances move from chaos to complex as more factors become known. It may seem that the coronavirus pandemic makes knowing anything about the future impossible, but Uhl-Bien says that\u2019s not true. \u201cSometimes we know, and we just don\u2019t like the answer.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Instead of fighting against the future, reduce turmoil and create order where you can, helping bring your organization back to complexity, not chaos. For example, rather than spending months wondering when you\u2019ll get back into the office, declare your work-from-home policy will last through Summer 2021. That removes uncertainty for people and allows them to plan their personal lives while also giving a foundation for making other business decisions. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Some organizations can even take advantage of this complex moment by finding new ideas that fit the times. \u201cEmbrace the complexity\u201d and use it to innovate, says Uhl-Bien.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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(Find more of Uhl-Bien\u2019s insights on leading in an age of disruption <\/a>.)<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Mindshift #2: Think \u201cnow, future, next\u201d<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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“Futurist Bob Johansen Beyond Covid-19: Three Mindshift Strategies To Chart A Clear Path Forward”<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Our brains like certainty. It\u2019s neuroscience. They are constantly trying to predict what will happen next, in order to protect us,\u201d says\u00a0Dr. Bob Johansen<\/a>, a futurist with the\u00a0Institute for the Future<\/a>. But when the immediate future is difficult to predict, as it is during the Covid-19 pandemic, leaders can reach greater clarity by thinking longer term.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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What you need in the middle of a crisis is the North Star that gives you clarity.\u201d<\/p>
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Johansen recommends finding that North Star by thinking about where you want your company to be in 10 years. \u201cIt\u2019s often easier to look 10 years ahead, than to look one or two years ahead, especially in a crisis.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Johansen’s new book helps leaders think past the current crisis to consider future possibilities.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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In his new book, Full Spectrum Thinking<\/em> <\/a>, Johansen encourages leaders to think \u201cnow, future, next\u201d instead of thinking about the most urgent (now) followed by the short term future (next), with little (if any) time left over for the long term future. \u201cI\u2019m suggesting you just change the order. Now, future, next.\u201d<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Johansen says to get clear about where you want to be in 10 years, then be flexible about the path you take to get there.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Developing the capacity to think 10 years ahead is a muscle that has to be built. One way to start is to think about your personal life, rather than your business. \u201cImagine your life 10 years from now, then work backwards.\u201d You can be clear about where you want to be, even while you\u2019re uncertain about the path to get there.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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To move forward, \u201cLook for people with clarity and avoid people with certainty.\u201d Johansen offers examples. \u201cAnthony Fauci is clear but not certain. Bill Gates is clear but not certain. The Johns Hopkins researchers who are tracking the Covid crisis are clear but not certain.\u201d Having clarity helps people move in the right direction over the long term.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Investing time thinking about the long-term future also gives your brain a break. It reminds you that the pandemic will end, eventually, and creates a sense of hope and energy about the ultimate outcome of your future.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Mindshift #3: Return to your strengths<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Ask simple questions, like this one, that draw from past experiences to find strengths that can.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Our final mindshift is an idea that has been repeatedly helpful to our clients and ourselves: remember, you\u2019ve faced tough circumstances before, and you have existing strengths, capacities, resources, and relationships that can help you succeed again.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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While this pandemic may be unprecedented, crises are not. Most leaders in business today successfully navigated the Great Recession. Your business and its people may have been deeply impacted by 9\/11, or by the bursting of the dot-com bubble. Even if you didn\u2019t feel the impact of these challenges, you\u2019ve faced other difficult times, and so have your team members.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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With that in mind, ask yourself (and your colleagues) this question:\u00a0 When we\u2019ve survived difficult challenges in the past, what happened that enabled us to survive and thrive? What was it about us as leaders? About our clients and team members? About the organization and our products or services?<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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This question will surface organizational and individual strengths you may have forgotten exist. Catalog those resources, skills, values, and attitudes that made you successful in the past, then ask: How can we bring these to bear in our current context?<\/em><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Finding a clear path forward<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Recently, a financial industry leader told us of a difficult time in his life. To sustain himself, he drafted a series of mantras that he read each morning. \u201cI needed those reminders,\u201d he told us.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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Periods of great uncertainty offer great opportunity for transformation. We hope these mind shifts help you identify guiding principles or mantras that make it easier to forge a path to the future.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Co-Author<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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Amber A. Johnson, Ph.D. Chief Communications Officer; Senior Research Associate; Executive Recruiter,\u00a0 Center for Values-Driven Leadership at Benedictine University<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The end of 2020 is in sight, but the pandemic\u2019s end is not. We\u2019re all making decisions with short shelf lives and uncertain impact. Here are three mind-shift strategies that can help you chart a clear path forward for your unique business context.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":981,"featured_media":17982,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[182],"tags":[1039,108,1040],"ppma_author":[3808],"class_list":["post-22456","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-future-of-work","tag-beyond-covid-19","tag-future-of-work","tag-mindshift-strategies"],"authors":[{"term_id":3808,"user_id":981,"is_guest":0,"slug":"jim-ludema","display_name":"Jim Ludema","avatar_url":"https:\/\/www.experfy.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/Jim-Ludema-150x150.jpeg","user_url":"https:\/\/cvdl.ben.edu\/%20","last_name":"Ludema","first_name":"Jim","job_title":"","description":"Jim Ludema is Director, Center for Values-Driven Leadership at Benedictine Univ. He is also Professor Ph. D Program in Organization Development, a Consultant & Author, Workplace Culture & Values"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.experfy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22456","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.experfy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.experfy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.experfy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/981"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.experfy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22456"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.experfy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22456\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33262,"href":"https:\/\/www.experfy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22456\/revisions\/33262"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.experfy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/17982"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.experfy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22456"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.experfy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22456"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.experfy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22456"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.experfy.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=22456"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}