Impact of Leadership

Creative Disruption Comes During Hard Times

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PATRICK BOOTH PATRICK BOOTH
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The past three years have given leaders a lot of opportunity to bring creativity into the workplace. We have battled COVID, lack of inventory, transportation/logistics disasters and culture attacks. There were two options for leaders: Retreat or Reinvent.

 

Those that retreated gave up and probably sold their business or closed it. I am not faulting anyone who did either one because I had the same thought myself. This was no easy situation and unfortunately not everyone was viewed as an essential business. Even if the business was, that did not mean it could make enough money to keep going. It could have been the best option to move on and that is okay. It’s your business and your decision!

 

Some leaders chose to reinvent their way of doing business. It might have meant moving employees’ home, finding new partners for inventory, marketing themselves as being essential during the COVID crisis to others and trying to keep their culture intact. It took a lot of creativity to survive. I know we did that in all areas of our business. I was proud of how we came up with new ways to connect with our clients and employees. It was a time for us to lean into the difficult situation and become a better company by thinking outside of the box.

 

Confession time, change is difficult and I hate it. I know this whole blog is about how change creates growth but it does not mean I like it. Not having to change brings me comfort knowing what I will get from past results. However, my growth came during change or difficult times. Why does it work that way? am still trying to grow myself so please know that you are not going to ever hear me say “I got it all figured out!” What can change create for all of us? A new way of thinking!

 

Creative disruption comes during hard times.

 

How?

 

Change gives you a new perspective. You can make excuses, or you can take action to create progress. You can’t move forward till you decide to move forward. It is a gift to see things from a different view so you can come up with new ideas on how to solve your problems. I use a phrase often “You aren’t stuck!” I have found often there is a third solution that is not easy to see but it’s there when you take time to look.

 

Have the courage to make changes.

 

Before COVID I was asked often if I would allow the company to be remote. I was clueless to what was coming in 2020 so I said often “There is no way CCB will ever be remote. It’s too hard to do our job from home and we will lose our culture.” Well, I had to do what was best for the company and employees in 2020 so I sent everyone home. Was I scared? You bet! However, we got everyone the equipment they needed to work from home, marketed to our clients, and did a lot of happy hours/social events on TEAMS. If you don’t change then you are limiting your success and future.

 

Leaders take risks.

It’s okay to be afraid but don’t let fear stop you from being the leader that your company is needing you to be.

 

Creative disruption allows you to focus on the WHY of your decisions and WHERE you want to lead the company. Inspire your team to change before your competition does. This does not mean everyone will follow immediately with the same passion you have for the change. It’s a great opportunity to build TRUST with your team. The key to building trust is being a great communicator. Disarm critics by explaining the WHY and HOW the change will give better results for everyone. Lead with confidence and help your team believe.

 

Ask yourself these few questions…

  1. What is not working that you have been doing for a long time?

  2. What change needs to happen so you can see a new result and inspiration for your team?

  3. What risk do you need to take that makes you feel afraid but could really bring huge success to your numbers?

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Building Culture
Managing a Team
Vision Casting
Management
Personal & Professional Growth
Communication

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C-Suite/Executive
Entry Level Management
Middle Management
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