Lifeboat mindset can save you from sinking
Resilient people easily adapt to change, while reality-deniers sink with the ship. What happened to the Titanic can happen to companies refusing to change. A unique mix of character traits creates a resilient person, one who gets through challenging times when changes are needed for survival and resources are limited.
Maggie Craddock, a veteran executive coach known for her work with Fortune 500 CEOs and senior management, a certified family therapist and the author of Lifeboat: Navigating Unexpected Career Change and Disruption, saw similarities between those who survived life-threatening conditions when the Titanic hit the iceberg and employees and management able to survive the threat of bankruptcy and total disruption of an established company. The “Lifeboat Process” was born as she researched the qualities of people who survive crises.
Craddock wants executives and regular employees to ask eight questions to be able to operate effectively when disaster hangs overhead. The “Big Ship” (corporate mindset) that denies the manager’s authentic self will stop that person’s ability to successfully problem-solve.
No. 1: “Is this ship (environment) safe?” Assess if a work environment aligns with values. If not, the ship is not safe, and you will not be effective.
No. 2: “What do I do if I sense trouble?” Some members of Titanic’s crew sensed trouble, but no one felt authorized to speak up or take action.
No. 3: “When is it time to get in the lifeboat?” When management denies the reality or tries to secretly fix the problem, it endangers everyone’s future.
No. 4: “What if I freeze in a crisis?” The Big Ship mindset teaches you to ignore, minimize or suppress your feelings. But difficult emotions will erupt in a crisis, and that denial of reality will stop you from being capable of taking appropriate action. When forced to suppress your authentic self, you will break down under pressure. To act successfully under pressure, you must be able to recognize, acknowledge and manage your emotions.
No. 5: “How do I find inner strength under pressure?” When business no longer works as usual, you must be able to practice emotional agility. Empowering oneself is the only way to behave authentically, which requires going against the
Big Ship mindset.
No. 6: “Who can I trust in a crisis?” Trust yourself first. This enables the courage you need to evaluate and solve the problem.
No. 7: “How do we survive together?” The only answer is that people must protect one another. Everyone is equal and is needed to successfully pull through.
No. 8: “What will be my story?” The Titanic passengers had no helpful information. To survive, they simply had to row in their lifeboats, just as we must in a corporate crisis. You must have faith that you are capable of determining your story.
The questions you ask and answer will help you navigate when under pressure.
The Big Ship rules demand you play your part. No one is to question the authority, and if you express your feelings, you are censored. Craddock says, “Operating in this type of environment doesn’t just impact your resume, it influences your sense of self and the priorities that shape your character.”
It’s no wonder studies show 85% of employees are dissatisfied in their jobs. Craddock advises how to know when it’s time to get in the lifeboat. It’s a good time to bail when 1) The Big Ship cares more about what you say than what you do, and as long as you please management, you will be accepted; 2) You must maintain a superficially polite image, being sure to not get too close to anyone; 3) You get the maximum production from your employees without considering the human cost of the results; and 4) You ignore problems, making sure that you are not blamed.
As a therapist and an executive coach,
A unique mix of character traits creates a resilient person, one who gets through challenging times when changes are needed for survival and resources are limited.
Craddock has worked with hundreds of employees who have been pushed to the limit. It’s vital you value your authentic self so you don’t experience the side effects of personal neglect.
“People who have been operating from the Big Ship mindset deal with life from the outside in,” said Craddock.