Reflecting on my time as a medic in the military (a long time ago), I quickly learned the critical distinction between having a plan and embracing the act of planning. As we step into the new year, many of us are busy planning- setting goals, mapping strategies, and preparing for what lies ahead. Here is something to think about.
In my role, responsible for training other medics, our mission was to prepare for every possible scenario. Drills, protocols, and emergency procedures were meticulously designed to ensure readiness. At the heart of it all was the triage plan- a framework for prioritizing urgent treatment.
Yet, chaos often disrupted even the best plans. It demanded quick assessment, rapid decisions, clear communication, and adaptability under pressure. A well-executed triage could mean the difference between life and death. When reality defied the plan, what truly mattered was the ongoing act of planning and the ability to continually adjust priorities.
This experience profoundly shaped my approach to leadership. It taught me that while a solid plan provides direction and clarity, true leadership emerges through adaptability, improvisation, and the willingness to remain flexible. Continuous planning empowers us to navigate uncertainty, tackle evolving challenges, and guide our teams with resilience.
Plans give us purpose; planning ensures we succeed.
The First-Time Manager's Reality
First-time managers often share with me how stepping into their new role feels like navigating a “battlefield”. They begin with a plan- a vision for leading, managing teams, and achieving goals. They read books, take courses, observe others, and gather well-meaning advice, entering the role with confidence. Yet, much like triage, the reality of leadership proves unpredictable, demanding flexibility and quick adaptability.
But as they step into the role, reality hits. Unexpected challenges, varying team dynamics, shifting organizational priorities, and even self-doubt can throw the best-laid plans out. Onboarding new employees, the urgent need to fire an unproductive team member, or miss a deadline- each of these situations represents a shift in the plan, requiring managers to adjust in real-time. First-time managers quickly discover that their initial approach needs to evolve.
This is where the distinction between a plan and planning becomes crucial. Plans provide a foundation, but planning allows first-time managers to adjust, learn, and grow in real-time. It’s about embracing flexibility, seeking feedback, and remaining open to the unpredictable nature of leading others.
What to Do When the Plan Is Messed Up
When reality diverges from the plan, it’s essential to adapt. Here are four strategies for first-time managers (and not only) to navigate uncertainty effectively:
1. Stay Calm and Assess
When things go off track, your instinct might be to jump straight into action. However, rushing can lead to poor decisions. Instead, pause to understand the full picture. Assess what has changed, what remains constant, and what the new priorities should be.
Example: You planned to onboard a new hire, but a key team member called in sick, leaving critical tasks unfinished. Instead of panicking, pause to assess priorities, balancing onboarding urgency with pressing project deadlines.
2. Seek Feedback
Effective leadership isn’t about having all the answers but knowing where to find them. Seeking input from others allows you to gather diverse perspectives, which can help you identify creative solutions or refine your approach to the problem.
Example: Your team faces a project delay due to technical issues. Instead of solving it alone, gather input: roadblocks, solutions, or priorities, from your team. A developer might suggest a workaround, or a colleague may help reprioritize.
3. Prioritize
Not all issues require immediate attention, and trying to tackle everything at once can spread you too thin. Prioritizing means focusing on the most critical tasks that have the highest impact and addressing others later.
Example: Juggling a performance review, a presentation, and a client issue, you prioritize the urgent client matter, postpone the review, and delegate presentation prep to a capable teammate.
4. Communicate Clearly
When plans change, it’s crucial to keep your team informed and aligned. Clear communication builds trust ensures everyone knows their role and minimizes confusion in uncertain situations.
Example: Midweek, a shift in company priorities requires your team to pivot projects. Gather them, explain the change, its purpose, and provide clear next steps to ensure alignment.
To Conclude:
Managers thrive when they understand that leadership is a dynamic process. Just as I had to assess, prioritize, and adapt during triage, managers must continually evaluate team needs, adapt to challenges, and make decisions based on real-time feedback.
This doesn’t mean discarding the plan! It means using it as a starting point, not a strict way of action. By focusing on planning, managers can reduce the pressure they feel to “get it perfect” and instead focus on building trust, fostering collaboration, and learning through experience.
Happy new year!!
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