'Vulnerability + Hazard = Disaster.’ (Steve Penny) It’s one thing to conceptualise it. It’s quite another thing to feel it, to experience it, to know it for real. Marcus Oxley, international disaster response expert, comments with insight that at moments when crisis hits, all vulnerabilities that pre-existed, yet lay out of view, come into sharp relief. It’s like a lightning flash in the darkness of night that, suddenly and just for a moment, reveals starkly what’s already there: e.g. political systems, public services, infrastructure, corruption, technology, security etc. Yet crisis can also reveal and evoke extraordinary awareness, resourcefulness and resilience. Shona Adams, a clinical psychology expert, observed astutely that people often don’t know what’s possible, or what they and others are truly capable of, until they are in a crisis. There’s only so much we can imagine, anticipate and prepare for in advance. People sometimes discover surprising strength, support and spirit and fresh possibilities emerge, as if by magic, that lay hidden or untapped before. So, here are some tips for leaders, coaches, OD and HR that feel especially pertinent in the midst of the Coronacrisis: 1. What vulnerabilities have emerged that were already there, yet your client now sees more visibly and has energy to address? 2. What has stayed strong or not broken in the face of crisis? (e.g. ‘If your client rates his or her resilience as 2 out of 5, what has stopped it becoming a 1?’). 3. What new opportunities can you and the client see and create: to be, become or do something new? Can I help you think through steps 1-3 in your work? Get in touch! info@nick-wright.com
12 Comments
Erik Weber
2/4/2020 03:33:48 pm
Auf einmal ist alles anders. Das gewohnte Leben findet nicht mehr statt. Die Chance für neue Möglichkeiten. Online - meetings, mehr Zeit für mich, überlegtes und geplantes Einkaufen...Aber auch das: Neue Herausforderungen werden von mir kreiert oder von mir verlangt. Zeit für Neues - meine Zeit, meine Chancen und meine Zeit mit Gott für neuen Mut und neues Vertrauen.
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Nick Wright
2/4/2020 03:48:15 pm
Hi Erik. Ja, so viel ist und fühlt sich jetzt anders an als die Norm. Es ist wirklich eine Chance für neue Möglichkeiten. Ich hoffe, dass wir sie mit Gottes Hilfe sehen, nehmen und erschaffen können - für ein besseres Leben und eine bessere Welt.
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Barbara A. Mellor
2/4/2020 05:38:06 pm
Equals Risk Factors taken into consideration.
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Nick Wright
2/4/2020 05:40:44 pm
Hi Barbara. Risk factors are an important dimension. Appreciative inquiry and opportunities development are important dimensions too.
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Rezina
2/4/2020 08:00:50 pm
Great article Nick, those are very constructive questions which we can all ask to shed a light on our weaknesses, develop strength and find new and better ways of working.
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Nick Wright
2/4/2020 08:07:19 pm
Thank you, Rezina! 😀
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Marcus Horne
6/4/2020 05:07:36 pm
Thanks for sharing Nick, iceberg risk where up to 90% of events lie below consciousness is often cited when discussing the limitations of deliberate planning. The Complex coaching body of work by Marty Linsky provides some great tools for coaching in complex environments including the idea of stepping off the dance floor and onto the balcony to scan the environment periodically and re-calibrate or change course as necessary.
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Nick Wright
6/4/2020 05:11:54 pm
Thanks Marcus. Yes, I've often seen the iceberg used as a metaphor for hidden risks but rarely for hidden opportunities. Marty Linsky's work sounds interesting. I'll check it out. On recalibrating and changing course, are you familiar with Chris Lever's 'Nagivating Change' (2018)?
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Marcus Horne
6/4/2020 05:44:01 pm
Not familiar with Chris Lever's work. With transitions generally there will usually be a myraid of distinct emotions from grief and anger to acceptance and then renewal. Opportunities usually bubble to the surface following this period of transition. I think what is key is that we position ourselves accordingly to embrace these by building our personal capabilities in the meantime.
Nick Wright
6/4/2020 05:48:04 pm
Thanks Marcus. Yes, I believe we will see a lot of transitions experiences as we and others come out of the other side of the Coronacrisis. People will be looking for support in loss, to find their feet again and to rebuild something new. This is an opportune time to prepare ourselves to provide support and challenge once people and organisations are in a time and place to receive it.
Stella Goddard
29/5/2020 12:22:18 pm
'Yet crisis can also reveal and evoke extraordinary awareness, resourcefulness and resilience. Shona Adams, a clinical psychology expert, observed astutely that people often don’t know what’s possible, or what they and others are truly capable of, until they are in a crisis.'
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Nick Wright
4/6/2020 09:57:49 pm
Hi Stella. Thanks for such thoughtful reflections. I wonder if self-compassion enables us to calm down sufficiently, emotionally, in a crisis to be able to think clearly. That would resonate with insights in this related short piece: http://www.nick-wright.com/blog/catharsis
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Nick WrightI'm a psychological coach, trainer and OD consultant. Curious to discover how can I help you? Get in touch! Like what you read? Simply enter your email address below to receive regular blog updates!
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