Benjamin Franklin is one of the most influential men in American history. The Renaissance man invented substantial tools like bifocals, the urinary catheter, and the world’s first lightning rod. Perhaps his greatest contribution to the country was his input in the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, documents that still shape modern life. Franklin understood the importance of ingenuity and foresight. He once said, “By failing to prepare, you’re preparing to fail.”
While failure is part of life, leaders understand that many of us endure unnecessary setbacks because we fail to prepare well. Leaders must learn how to be proactive, which means getting good at spotting potential problems. This is how we, and the people around us, begin to thrive. Here are 4 situations leaders should be prepared to face.
1. Disasters
I live in Florida, so I’m well-versed in dealing with hurricanes. But natural disasters are not the only things to prepare for as a leader. Think through all the possible outcomes of a strategy change, new product release, new hires, or market changes. What could go wrong? Account for that scenario.
Consider how fresh faces could impact office morale. Think about how your highly anticipated product may not catch on with customers. Leaders look ahead and consider the what-ifs. You may not always need to execute backup plans, but at some point, you’ll regret not making one.
2. People Quitting With No Notice
In 2022, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimated that the median number of years workers stayed with employers was 4.1 years. Voluntary turnover is a big part of this figure, meaning companies are losing 13% of their people every year because they decide to leave. It’s customary for people to give leaders notice before they leave a workplace, but it’s not always required. Leaders must anticipate how their organizations could change quickly. Prepare for people leaving by learning which people can handle more duties and being prepared to speed up or push back deadlines at a moment’s notice. Cross-training helps prepare people to pick up other roles when peers leave unexpectedly. Be sure to show those do-it-all folks appreciation for stepping up to carry the load. Consider paying them a little bit more if they’re doing more work.
3. Goals Going Unmet
The easiest goals to fall short of are the goals that aren’t clearly defined. You’re 42% more likely to hit a goal if you simply write it down, so that’s a good place to start. But when you can tell that your hard work toward a well-defined goal isn’t going to pay off how you hoped, don’t freak out. Give your team grace. Be realistic about what can be achieved, and shoot for that. Sometimes we set goals that feel attainable in the beginning only to realize we overestimated our staff, budget, or ability to get it done within the timeframe. That doesn’t mean you’re a failure. It means you’ve gained knowledge. Accomplish what you can, be proactive, and commit to using this experience in the future.
4. Missed Deadlines
Creating margin is the best way to avoid missing a deadline. But sometimes, margin is impossible. A last-minute assignment or opportunity can add stress to the equation. If you see a deadline looming that you know you’re going to miss, reevaluate your priorities. During bad storms, sailors used to lighten the ship by dumping heavy, unnecessary cargo overboard. You can do that, too. What could be offloaded to streamline your process? Where can you increase efficiency? Sometimes, a simple redirection or new prioritization is all it takes to be proactive.
Do you have more ideas for how to be proactive? Share in a comment.
