by Angela Gallogly
Vice President of USA Operations, Advanced Team Concepts
http://www.atctraining.com
Many of us have arrived at the time of spring fever. We’ve celebrated the holiday season and enjoyed a snowy day or two, and now we crave the warmth and newness of spring. What a great analogy for business these days!
Business, like life, moves in seasons. There are times of growth, change, and yes, even dormancy. It’s not a stretch to feel that we’re in an extended “winter” season right now. The economy has and continues to be tough, and many organizations are feeling the consequences.
I’m a Dallas area resident, and for the last few weeks, we’ve been experiencing some extraordinary winter weather. Less than two weeks ago, we had over a foot of snow – the most ever to fall in one day. The forecast today predicts a few more inches. I think many of us are enjoying the novelty, but it’s also created some real challenges for the city, including collapsed roofs, power outages, and damaged roadways. Although we were ready for winter, we were NOT ready for a winter like this!
The weather has made me a little reflective this morning. I’ve been thinking about my customers and the challenges they are facing. So many are experiencing a tough “winter” in the form of customer loss, profit loss, budget cut-backs and layoffs. But in spite of the circumstances, some have managed to continue achieving some amazing organizational goals. Even in adversity, a strong team can survive and even thrive.
I’m reminded of an example from Jim Collins’ book, Good to Great (HarperCollins, © 2001), a fantastic research-based book that provides insight into companies that have achieved success and longevity. Collins wrote that every great organization he studied had faced adversity at some point. In the book, he introduces the Stockdale Paradox:
The paradox refers to Admiral Jim Stockdale, an eight year prisoner-of-war during the Vietnam War. Collins interviewed him in the book to glean lessons from his tale of survival. Stockdale referenced a key to survival – Faith combined with facing reality. The hopeless may not survive, but neither will those that are unrealistic and unable to confront the facts in a challenging situation. It seems that it was hope, tempered with reality that helped enable Stockdale’s return to home and family.
Collins says it perfectly on page 86 of his book:
“The Stockdale Paradox
Retain faith that you will prevail in the end, regardless of the difficulties.
AND at the same time
Confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.”
We can implement this paradox during any extended “winter” that we experience. What does this mean for you and your organization?
Vice President of USA Operations, Advanced Team Concepts
http://www.atctraining.com
Many of us have arrived at the time of spring fever. We’ve celebrated the holiday season and enjoyed a snowy day or two, and now we crave the warmth and newness of spring. What a great analogy for business these days!
Business, like life, moves in seasons. There are times of growth, change, and yes, even dormancy. It’s not a stretch to feel that we’re in an extended “winter” season right now. The economy has and continues to be tough, and many organizations are feeling the consequences.
I’m a Dallas area resident, and for the last few weeks, we’ve been experiencing some extraordinary winter weather. Less than two weeks ago, we had over a foot of snow – the most ever to fall in one day. The forecast today predicts a few more inches. I think many of us are enjoying the novelty, but it’s also created some real challenges for the city, including collapsed roofs, power outages, and damaged roadways. Although we were ready for winter, we were NOT ready for a winter like this!
The weather has made me a little reflective this morning. I’ve been thinking about my customers and the challenges they are facing. So many are experiencing a tough “winter” in the form of customer loss, profit loss, budget cut-backs and layoffs. But in spite of the circumstances, some have managed to continue achieving some amazing organizational goals. Even in adversity, a strong team can survive and even thrive.
I’m reminded of an example from Jim Collins’ book, Good to Great (HarperCollins, © 2001), a fantastic research-based book that provides insight into companies that have achieved success and longevity. Collins wrote that every great organization he studied had faced adversity at some point. In the book, he introduces the Stockdale Paradox:
The paradox refers to Admiral Jim Stockdale, an eight year prisoner-of-war during the Vietnam War. Collins interviewed him in the book to glean lessons from his tale of survival. Stockdale referenced a key to survival – Faith combined with facing reality. The hopeless may not survive, but neither will those that are unrealistic and unable to confront the facts in a challenging situation. It seems that it was hope, tempered with reality that helped enable Stockdale’s return to home and family.
Collins says it perfectly on page 86 of his book:
“The Stockdale Paradox
Retain faith that you will prevail in the end, regardless of the difficulties.
AND at the same time
Confront the most brutal facts of your current reality, whatever they might be.”
We can implement this paradox during any extended “winter” that we experience. What does this mean for you and your organization?
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