Does a Fluid Approach Seem Like a Good Path?
A plan and a goal always seem to make sense. Are your goals rigid or do you use a more fluid approach?
Are you a little bit more of a perfectionist or do you scribble outside of the lines?
Most pathways start with a vision. It is a plan, of sorts, with directions, timelines and milestones. Spoken or sometimes unspoken they are all part of the plan.
Plans are designed to work. They are expected to achieve outcomes by going through barriers, leaping hurdles, and most certainly against all odds.
Some people identify with a system, a structure, and a protocol. It might be similar to a flight plan, a rocket launch, or a thousand-mile road trip.
Not everything fits inside the plan, and that is when the plan becomes even more important. The what if’s, or what to do when, are all expected to be part of a really good plan.
Have you budgeted for fluidity? Does a fluid approach make sense?
Fluid Approach
Sometimes people call it a backup plan. Plan B is often suggested for execution will all else has failed during plan A.
Those committed to the plan are hesitant to jump off plan A and switch to plan B. They may insist that plan A has not been exhausted yet and staying the course is most important.
Leadership requires resilience in the face of adversity. Plan A or plan B, both might contain a pathway for success.
When you plan for fluid approaches, it doesn’t necessarily mean one pathway must close in order to access another. It also doesn’t mean that one is right and one is wrong.
You still have a choice with your goals.
Stalls, delays, or dead-end stops are likely not as good as study movement.
When time matters, and it nearly always does, a detour around the block, and then right back on the original trajectory is probably much better than waiting for the traffic jam to free itself.
Leadership keeps things moving and makes way for a reason or logic to embrace a shift. Belonging often means safety, security, and a sense of accomplishment.
When getting there is the objective.
A fluid approach may be your best path.
-DEG
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.
