Fluid and Graceful

The CEO of a private health care firm recently described the turmoil of trying to implement an H1N1 vaccination service for their clients. Daily, even hourly, the sands would shift beneath their feet as supply issues, union issues, legal issues, and public opinion issues forced unpredictable change upon them. They in turn had to communicate repeatedly with clients and staff as the plans changed in ways beyond their control. As the situation shifted yet again, the CEO described dancing down the hallway, spontaneously modelling the need to be "fluid and graceful" as they collectively adapted to the continuing chaos of the situation.

This is a beautiful example of a complex situation where planning becomes useless and our illusion of control disaappears. Even the smallest wave on the ocean has more power than you can possibly influence, and when a storm rises, the waves become overwhelming, completely unpredictable, and far beyond your control. What can you do, if you aren't in control? What should you do, if you can not plan?

In times of chaos, of turmoil, of large unpredictable forces, you need an organization that is fluid and graceful, that can dance on the waves, and adapt quickly and easily to whatever the situation throws at you. You need engaged people who trust each other, who know how to work together, who understand that this Will Not Go As Planned.

We've all heard the truism that Failing to Plan means Planning to Fail, but we need a different approach when we are facing complexity. In the words of Margaret Wheatley, "In these troubled, uncertain times, we don’t need more command and control; we need better means to engage everyone’s intelligence in solving challenges and crises as they arise."

We need to learn to dance.

(With thanks to Debby Criddle, CEO of Nightingale Nursing Group)