Are you ready to Pivot?

‘In times of great change, the learners will inherit the Earth while those attached to old certainties will find themselves beautifully equipped to deal with a world that no longer exists.’ Eric Hoffer.

Being ready to ‘pivot’ requires a different mindset, a different resolve even. It is a choice between old and new story.  As individuals we are so accustomed to setting goals, and often these are not truly aligned to what we truly want, to our authentic self – they are often what we think we want, or frequently what others want us to ‘do’ or ‘be’.

Those who can pivot to respond to a given situation can provide immense value where others are rendered ‘unresponsive’ and ‘ineffective’.

‘Pivots’ often come in different forms – often as surprises.

A dear friend of mine experienced this in France a few weeks back. She arrived in Toulouse with a plan to stay overnight and then pick up a car to drive 3 hours north to her destination which would be her home for the next four months.

She had intentionally ‘gone of the grid’ 5 years back and had no credit card.

A conversation with the desk attendant on the day of arrival had confirmed that they would accept cash payment for the car rental.

When she arrived the following morning to pick up the car and commence her onward journey, she was informed that the manager had overruled the promise and would not allow the car to be rented without a credit card.

It was a long weekend, there was a nation-wide train strike and the only solution was to deposit funds onto her cash card to be used as surety for the car. This would take time to clear. This left her in a conundrum. Armed with cash and no ‘Credit’ made it difficult for her to secure any last minute accommodation.

A long What’s App call intervened with me – all hotels booked out due to the train strike, even the one she had been staying in (which accepted cash). Different options were discussed, and ultimately an Airbnb for 5 nights, until her rental car was available and she could commence on her way to her desired destination for the next four months!

Life does indeed throw many a curved ball ( even for those who have gone ‘off the grid’)! As discussed in an earlier post, whilst you initially are not sure of the ‘right’ step or even ‘first’ step, not taking action is simply not a choice.

This is where the Pivot comes into being.

Dr David Drake refers to a Pivot as simply ‘a binary choice people can make in any moment between thinking and acting in line with an old story (what they may be leaving behind), or in line with a new story (an aspiration they are moving toward).’

The new story in a Pivot is not defined as a fixed and specific end point as one would have with a goal. Instead, it radiates from a choice point in the desired direction. For my friend it was a place to sleep while awaiting her hire car, and in further appreciating how fixated the world has become on ‘credit’.

One wonders what the value of cash will be in the future?

A Pivot encompasses three key areas towards aspiration:

• Mindset
• Behaviour
• Environment

Mindset is the first Pivot, as it reflects how we see a situation, make sense and meaning of it. Shifting mindset it the key to the formulation of a new narrative. Then comes the articulation of the people’s Aspiration.  Based on how they see themselves and their situation, their opportunity and their world – what do they want to change and or achieve.

Then comes the second Pivot around Behaviour – if they are committed to wanting to change, and willing to experiment then this is often the easiest.

Lastly comes the Environment. By shaping their environment, people will create a more receptive and innovative space in which they can naturally embody a new mindset and try out new behaviours. Collective and structural constructs impact and influence people’s ability to sustain change. For my friend it was societies propensity for credit and not cash.

A great recent example of this is the predominately positive behaviours from the media who covered the rescue of the Wild Boars soccer team from the caves in Northern Thailand.

The Mindset of the rescuers was clearly to work together to best strategise how to safely rescue these 12 players and their coach, once they were discovered 9 days after being lost.

The Behaviours were unquestionable at all levels; from Government leaders; the Thai Navy Seals; expert foreign divers; cave specialists; medical specialists; engineers; legal authorities and the volunteers. All knew what their roles were. Patience and attention to detail were paramount. Not to mention inordinate courage by the Thai Navy Seals, and much of which is becoming known now, just how much courage.

Understanding and respecting the environment, individually and collectively was a key element in the success of this incredible and successful mission.

Rather than rush in ‘ad hoc’ and save them due to the changing environment, They rehearsed and practised the mission prior to the implementation of the rescue, so there were no, or very limited unexpected anomalies. Every single person, from all parts of the globe were aligned to the Aspiration – saving these 13 people, and also returning safely themselves. This truly is an example of an effective Pivot. The coach too played an integral part in managing the mindset and ultimately the behaviours of the 12 boys – teaching them to meditate to stay calm, keep warm and preserve energy.

Narongsak Osatanakorn, the local Governor and head of the operation, describes the rescue as a symbol of unity among mankind.

“Everyone worked together without discrimination of race or religion as the ultimate goal was to save the youth football team.”

Personal examples of wise choosing.

• Where are you being asked to slow down and be patient?
• What courage is needed in doing so?
• How are you able to manage your own Pivots?

I’d love to help you discover how to Pivot to enable you to continue to Stand Tall.

Anna