Children are incredibly resilient and given the opportunity, children can be incredible instructors.  While watching a group of children on the playground, several lessons came to me about how to navigate this international shift in the way that we do business.  The COVID-19 Pandemic caused the world to very quickly and very drastically embrace changes in ways that perhaps have never happened before.  I would venture to say that most of the decisions we have made during this time were reactionary and not sustainable for any long period of time, but change is a many-layered thing.  It is my hope that these lessons learned from the playground will help you to reevaluate your operations and redefine your mindset as a leader moving forward in this new normal.

1. Be Honest About It

The first step to making the most of any situation is to be honest about what is happening and what the real impact is. If something is broken, don’t act like everything is fine. If you are tired, say you are tired.  If you have concerns, acknowledge your concern. Once this is done, it puts everyone in a space where you can begin to process reality and move forward on a path to success.  When you try and pretend that what is there is really not, then you run the risk of setting yourself up for failure.  The world is great at covering things up, but real success comes from doing the hard work and facing every unflattering place head on. 

2. Recover Quickly

Recovery doesn’t have to mean returning to a previous state.  As a matter of fact, the best recovery is the excitement of being able to exceed expectations.   However, this doesn’t happen when we are stuck on going back to the way things were.  As adults we start to over analyze things and begin setting up self-imposed boundaries in ways that tend to restrict us.  Instead of boxing yourself in, learn from your mistakes and disappointments.  Those days are over, that season has passed and it is time to embrace what is ahead.  So, begin to see the potential opportunities in this new place and turn your attention to the way forward.  Everything that happened before this moment is an outdated memory.

3. Express Gratitude

Even with the most drastic and sudden changes, there is something or someone to be grateful for.  Maybe you have been freed of something that was weighing you down.  Perhaps you no longer have to struggle with a colleague that makes everything more painful.  Or could it be that this change has given you and opportunity to address some areas that you had been procrastinating on?  There truly is a silver lining in every cloud.  You just have to lift your head long enough to see it and when you do, be sure to say thank you to those that are supporting you in this process.

4. Allow Room for Mistakes

The world’s most successful people (and organizations), allow just enough space to stumble and figure things out. Nothing great happens in an instant and it’s important to create a safe space for failure along with a forum to exchange lessons learned.  Leaders that allow room for mistakes give team members the opportunity to grow and develop in ways that never would.  Creating an environment where mistakes are not fatal is empowering to individuals and allows them to bring their most innovative selves to every situation.  

Not every idea will work, not every attempt will be successful, but some of the best inventions and innovations came from mistakes.  Some of our greatest products came from mistakes (i.e, microwaves, removable adhesive, fireworks, playdough). What matters most is that with every mishap the team learns the lessons necessary to keep that specific thing from happening again and that the desired standard is both clearly understood and attainable.  No one is perfect and in the right environment, mistakes can be a recipe for success! 

5. Take Breaks

No one can just keep going all the time.  Each human being has their own individual capacity of physical strength, emotional health and mental stamina. Before enough becomes too much, breaks are necessary.  There is no prize for lost sleep, missed meals or undue sacrifice. And multitasking does not yield the outcomes that we think it does.  In order to be our best, it is important to build in daily times to disconnect and recharge.  A change of scenery or a quiet car can do a world of good – FOR YOU (and probably those you come in contact with too).

6. Be Good to Others

There is nothing like a good team and when you are good to others, it makes it so much easier to receive goodness in return. Getting lost in what is happening in your immediate area of responsibility with no sense of what is happening around you is a sure way to lose touch with the goals of the organization.  As a leader, it is important to understand multiple areas and to show respect for the work that others do.  Take a moment to connect with departments and those that are outside of our immediate reach. Having varied perspectives makes you a more well-rounded leader and positions you for better decision making and long-term success. 

7. Identify What Works and Why

When things work and work well there is a great sense of satisfaction.  But do you know why it worked so well?  Do you have a clear sense of the factors that contributed to the success?  It is important to realize that knowing why something is successful is just as important as the success of the thing.  Once you know the reason for the success, you can then apply those factors to other areas. As you reflect, don’t get stuck on the specific actions, focus on the whys (and the who) that led to each success! Engaging on this level of reflection helps to increase efficiency and maximize your resources.  

8. Be Open to Other Options

 Imagination, creativity, dreams and inspiration – those are the things that help us set goals for ourselves and our programs.  They are the fuel for invention and the twinkle that you see in a child’s eye.  For many adults, life has managed to quiet the sense of wonder in us.  But that wonder is important.  So, begin to look at things a little differently. As you plan your next steps, do a massive no-holds-barred brain dump where you share all possibilities/ideas without regard for any limitations.  Next, begin to work through the list with your current reality in mind and begin to explore/define next steps.  Starting from a place of limitations is what keeps us in a box, but when we start with a big dream in mind, we open the door to endless possibility.  

9. Share the Load

If you want something done do it yourself…WRONG!!!  If you are working on a team that is underperforming you have a personnel issue.  Either the people are not doing what is needed, you don’t have enough personnel or you don’t have the right positions.  Whatever it is, the team should not rest on the shoulders of one individual. Experiencing a new normal is a perfect time to reevaluate priorities, systems, needs and personnel.  Once you are able to gauge the capacity and adequateness of these things you can begin to clearly define how to accomplish the tasks in a way that brings the most value to everyone involved.  

10. Do What You Love

Sometimes you just need to take a moment and make sure you are moving towards your ultimate mission and if not figure out what it takes to get to that point.  Making adjustments doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your big-picture goals.  However, it does mean that satisfaction may need to take a different form as you recalibrate.  Setting benchmarks on your way to the goal will help you to experience the success needed to motivate the team as a whole (as well as yourself), but you have to be clear on what you are striving for and the goal has to be something that is important to you.  Sometimes motivation is as simple as knowing the short-term goal will lead to your ultimate long-term goal.  

11. Try Something New

If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.  WAIT – Who said that?  This simple statement has allowed people to lean on complacency for far too long.  Even when something seems to be working, it may be holding you back from further progress. When complacency settles in it minimizes efficiency and can keep you from conquering challenges or even experiencing the next great thing. How many businesses do you know that have failed to keep up with the times and as a result are no longer in business?  

It’s just that simple, anyone that wants to remain relevant can’t be stuck in the way things were.  Unfortunately, the field of education is notorious for this.  At some point, calculated risks are warranted. As the world progresses, our practices must evolve.  But this evolution doesn’t happen without exposure and preparation.  Never allow yourself to get so fixated on what you know or your successes that you fail to evolve by keeping abreast of other methods and current research.  When the time is right, make changes that will continue setting you up for success.  

12. Laugh Often

If you don’t laugh you will cry.  Although this statement may not be completely true, its sentiment is more than believable.  Adjusting to a new normal is hard work that requires fortitude from places you often don’t know exist. The one thing that makes everything disappear (for just an instant) is laughter.  Nothing is ever so serious that you can’t have even a silent chuckle.  When times get you down or people frustrate you, play a secret laugh track in your head so you get the boost you need to keep going.  If you need some help do an internet search for laughing babies…it is like medicine for your soul.