Is Mastering Business Chaos About Focus On Process Over Outcomes?
If Olympians focus on process over outcomes for a flexible definition of success, stability, and well-being, why can’t you?
As a Change Manager or business leader, have you felt stuck when things don’t go according to plan? You’re not alone. Many leaders and Change Managers face this issue. So, how do you remain psychologically flexible in the face of chaos? It made me think. I was listening to an ABC podcast about Olympic athletes under pressure. Dr Kirsten Peterson is a Sports Psychologist who works with Australian Olympic athletes. Why do some athletes, like Jess Fox, sound like they are thriving despite immense pressure? My takeaway from her interview: process over outcomes. Doing what you love, rather than what you “have to”.
Back to leading organisational change. Focusing too much on results can cause problems. Results depend on things we can’t control, ruining even the best plans.
Take Sarah’s story. She led a big IT project rollout. She worked long hours to meet tight deadlines, which hurt her health and relationships. The company announced big changes near the end, which threw off the whole project. Sarah felt very upset. She wondered why she worked so hard for something she couldn’t control.
