STINKY SOCKS AS GLOVES

My youngest daughter was in pain, it was my fault, and I felt terrible. How could our wonderful trip have turned so miserable so fast? We were riding our horses high in the Uinta Mountains last weekend and as we passed over Notch Pass at 10,600 feet, we were suddenly hit with high winds and pelting hail.

Today’s business environment is VUCA; volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous. Leaders who want to survive and even thrive in this environment must demonstrate two critical skills: Preparedness and adaptability. On Notch Pass, I failed the first but passed the second.

Since it was so warm down at the trailhead with no bad weather forecasted, we hadn’t brought coats or gloves. When the sharp little pieces of ice hit our hands, Ivy’s started to cry and panic.  I knew I had dropped the ball. We were above the timberline, so we were forced to huddle under the only two small pine trees we could find.  There was not even enough room for my Dad, who had to stay on his horse. An idea popped into my head.  I quickly took off my boots and gave my socks to Ivy to use as gloves.

The more leaders are prepared for the coming storms, the less likely it is that they will be forced into unpleasant choices like making their followers put their hands into stinky socks.