Doing business in an unsettled world

Like it or not and however we try and sugar coat it, there is an unsettled world out there, and it’s manifesting itself across all business touchpoints. Nervousness prevails with clients, suppliers, and staff which plays out in many different ways, and there is no doubt that we are in the middle of a serious global mental health crisis. 

Whilst it’s vital to look forward, plan ahead and consider growth opportunities and more, the majority of business owners I know are truly currently navigating a less sunny outlook day-to-day.

We can put it down to global unrest, we can put it down to the ever-rising costs of doing business, but we still have to navigate the day to day issues to keep afloat, literally and figuratively and some of us need to get more comfortable with being uncomfortable.

The majority of us can feel stuck or ill-equipped to lead during complexities and uncertainty. So, how do we tackle doing business in an unsettled world?

Embrace the unknown

We don’t always have the ‘right’ answer. As leaders we are conditioned to solve – our staff and clients look to us for it. It’s time to think less about ‘knowing it all’ and getting prepared to ‘learn it all’ instead. What happens on the global stage is not within our control, but our own ignorance is. It’s not a time for head in the sand tactics. Take the pressure off yourself to immediately have all the answers and work collaboratively to find the solution together.

Is it complex or complicated?

Some things are time-consuming to work through and that’s complicated. Complications can be worked through with help. Complex issues rely more on the unknown and various stakeholders and lots of opinions and few clear solutions. This is where trial and error, compassion, empathy, and again, collaboration all play a part. We have to understand the difference.

Progress over perfection

Sometimes it is all we can do to put one foot in front of the other. Letting go of any notion of ‘perfectionism’ is vital during testing times. Done is always better than perfect  – small actions and always looking forward is progress and that is what keeps us all going.

Slow down to go faster

As a huge fan of action, however small, it sounds hypocritical to say that it sometimes pays to slow down. Oversimplifying or rushing into something, especially employee or partnership related, can be something you may come to regret in the future. There is not always a quick solution.

The bigger picture

There is a time to take yourself right out of the middle and it’s now. Being too close to a situation and knee-deep in the granular day to day challenges leaves us looking at our feet rather than the road ahead. Taking active time to zoom out for the bigger picture is vital in times like this.

We are not built to go it alone

I want to reinforce the need for collaboration. It’s time to see things on a human scale, and not as commercial competition or day to day tensions between yourself, clients, staff or customers. They are not the enemy.

Some people are not good people, granted, but most others are and all they are aiming to do is the same as you – survival and a good as less bumpy road ahead as possible.

Importantly, be kind to yourself first and look after your staff – you are responsible for their livelihoods, so work with empathy and compassion and reach out to others, even in the same industry.

It feels like any given day brings its fresh challenges recently, and there is no denying that we are in the midst of the unknown – a revolution even, with many changes that we cannot control.  

I’m personally taking it day by day and not looking too far ahead to the bigger picture for once as my over-riding strategy for dealing with very uncertain times and I firmly feel it is a time for showing true leadership, with empathy and compassion and leading from the front in a world that is not okay.

Natasha Hatherall-Shawe, founder and CEO of TishTash Marketing and PR@TishTashTalks