Thursday, January 22, 2009

Are you an ostrich or a flamingo?

Some of us look at all the changes and panic; others of us just stick our heads in the sand insisting that nothing much has changed. I've found in working with individuals and organizations that those who can map multiple scenarios for how the future could unfold can keep their calm, access their creativity and stay afloat.

How are you responding to the current crisis?
What do you know about the 1, 2 and 5 year future?
What don't you know?
How are you retooling to thrive amid uncertainty?

Career management is an act of leadership

In our rapidly changing work landscape it's time to promote and reinvent ourselves. Such is the pathway to continuing success and satisfaction. It is also the way we can have the greatest impact as leaders. When you reinvent yourself you are drawing on your passion, reconnecting with your values and using foresight. I have found that many people have trouble doing this on their own since it is so hard to challenge our past identities, or get to our best thinking, even if we want to move in a new direction. And this is especially true in crisis times.

What have you always wanted to do that you haven't yet done?

Are you using your creative talents to their fullest right now?

Creativity is more important than ever!

Leaders who want to make a difference need to be more effective, creative and far-sighted in a time of rapid change and reduced resources. But how do we actually do that? The default position for many of us is to operate from a mindset of scarcity. But crisis-thinking narrows, rather than opens up options. So the psychology of scarcity only serves to make things worse.

Down economies are good times for bolstering innovation and creativity about doing more with less.

What kinds of investments have you made to help maximize your own and your peoples' creativity and resourcefulness?
What additionally might you do in the coming months?