The Blindside Express

The hardest situation is the one you don’t see coming.

You prepare for trains you see coming. Scheduled meetings. Client appointments. Performance issues.

The Blindside Express turns a manageable issue into a crisis.

Determine how to show up when the inevitable happens.

The Blindside Express turns a manageable issue into a crisis. Image of an old steam train on a bridge puffing smoke.

4 Responses to the Blindside Express

#1. Welcome the Inevitable

Deadlines will get missed. People will misunderstand expectations. Priorities will shift.

Greet your unexpected visitor with a smile. Frustration magnifies problems. Blame expands issues.

Buy time to breathe by asking two questions:

  1. What happened?
  2. What do you need from me right now?

Don’t let the Blindside Express hijack you.

Fools ignore inevitabilities.

#2. Talk to Yourself

The most important voice you hear is your own.

Write your internal script before the “crisis” arrives.

  • “This is why I’m here.” Get curious.
  • “I expect surprises.” Respond calmly. Soften your tone.
  • “Slow down.” Learn first. Fix second.

Confident leaders plan responses before they’re needed.

#3. Do Four Things Quickly

  1. Apologize even if you didn’t do anything wrong. “I’m sorry this is happening.”
  2. Commit to fix the issue. “We’re going to resolve this as quickly as possible.”
  3. Determine the next step. “What’s one thing that will improve this situation?”
  4. Go public with solutions if the Blindside Express is known broadly. Be proactive. Don’t wait to be asked.
Confident leaders plan responses before they're needed.

#4. Work to Prevent Recurrences

You can’t predict surprises. You can prevent some.

Hidden issues become blindsides. Bring up problems when they’re small.

Seek constructive dissent. Habitually ask, “What are we missing?”

Muzzling smart people invites dark surprises.

Determine if your blindside is a people problem or a system issue. System fixes seldom solve people problems.

Do pre-mortems before projects begin. “If this project goes off the rails, what did we leave undone?”

What’s the best thing to do when the unexpected happens?

How to Never Waste a Good Crisis – Leadership Freak

Read: The Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande

Category : planning, Leadership Development
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