How to Build Stability during Turbulence
My brain never leaps to the best thing that could happen.
When I don’t hear back from a friend, I imagine they’re mad at me. A headache is a brain tumor. Thankfully I don’t get headaches very often.
People usually jump to negative conclusions. Imagined catastrophes make stability unlikely.
Catastrophizing:
- Distorts reasoning.
- Elevates stress.
- Pollutes decision-making.
- Strains relationships.
- Increases distrust.
Despair:
Your team sings the Gloom and Doom Song during uncertainty unless you stop catastrophizing.
HEE HAW was a comedy tv show that ran from 1969 to 1971. One sketch featured people singing the Gloom and Doom Song.
Gloom, despair, and agony on ohhhh!
Deep dark depression, excessive misery-y!
If it weren’t for bad luck, I’d have no luck at all!
Gloom, despair, and agony on ohhh!
“Gloom, Despair & Agony.” (one minute video)
Predictability increases stability:
#1. Satisfy the need to know.
Your team will fabricate stories if you neglect communication. Answer high anxiety with consistent communication.
#2. Comfort people with scheduled communication.
You might say, “We’re in an uncertain situation. I’ll keep you in the know with an update on our situation every Monday Morning.”
#3. Manage expectations.
You might say, “This situation will develop slowly. Some updates will inform you that nothing has changed.”
When nothing changes, use your update email to encourage your team to continue doing a great job.
#4. Commit to truthfulness.
You may not feel the need to say you’ll keep everyone informed, but others might need to hear it.
Turn people to day-to-day tasks. Remind everyone that your customers need you.
Rituals add stability during uncertainty.
How can leaders build stability during turbulence?
John David Mann and I invite you to check out our new book, The Vagrant: The Inner Journey of Leadership.
I think it’s important to change up the communication medium. I mostly use email but at times an instant message or group text works well.
Wonderful suggestion, Chris. My brain adapts quickly, then I get board. That’s the interesting tension between the stability of rituals and the vibrancy of variety.
Needed the laugh (and memory) of the video today!
Glad you enjoyed. I’ve been practicing the chorus. I want to go on America’s got Talent or The Voice or American Idol or anywhere they’ll have me. 🙂
Dan, hope all is well. I really enjoyed reading this post. I felt like it speaks to so many segments of our culture today suffering within this Age of Disruption. So I pass it along to one of my mentees who works on one of the financial exchanges. They are experiencing a great deal of disruption at this time. It so resonated with her, that she asked permission to share it with those she knows I told her, OF COURSE! So thanks again, and God bless.
It’s a pleasure to be of service to you and your mentee. Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
We have to acknowledge that disruption is more normal than not. It’s not a matter of will there be disruption. It’s just what disruption looks like.