When The Surprises Show Up In Business

When business, surprises arise and we always hope that the surprises that come up are good ones, yet, this is not always the case. How do you handle when unfavorable surprises show up? As a leader, you don’t want to get thrown when the unexpected happens. It is important to be equipped to handle the unexpected. Remember, the unexpected can be an opportunity or it can be a derailment.   

In running successful businesses for over 30 years and guiding hundreds of clients to navigate the variety of surprises that show up in business, I thought I would share some strategies that I have found effective so that you can also achieve greater results and have a successful business.

As a business coach, consultant, and business owner, I have navigated both business and life for many years and have encountered numerous surprises. I am going to share something that I don’t talk about often, one of my most difficult days as a leader. 

On September 11, 2001, in the bustling streets of New York City, I was on my way to my printing office, commuting and going through Times Square, the vibrant TV screens caught my attention, broadcasting the news of a shocking incident: a plane had crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. It felt like the bustle of Times Square stopped on a dime and this could not be real. 

As the chaos continued, I knew I needed to start thinking and making decisions.  

How to Respond When Things Go Bad and How to Pivot After Derailment

As a mother with two children, my instinct was to turn around and go home. However, I had responsibilities to the people in my printing office and concern for their families as well. So, I immediately checked in with my office and checked on my team, then made the decision to head home. 

As the morning progressed and the city shut down, I knew the next decision was to have my entire team come to my apartment for shelter and most importantly, to be together. I have always led from a place of creating true bonds in the teams that were part of Slater Graphics back in the day and Slater Success today. 

In the days that followed, the printing presses were not running, deliveries could not be made, and there were many unknowns in New York City as well as the world itself. As emotional as this time was for all of us, we must be as clear-headed as possible to make decisions.

Know that not all decisions will be the “right” ones in the long term, yet, they will be the best decision at the moment based on the information you have. As more information is received, you can do course corrections and make better decisions.

When derailments occur that affect a business, it is crucial to have a thought process in making a decision, addressing the situation promptly and effectively to minimize its impact. Assess the situation and identify any immediate actions that can mitigate the negative effects. 

By demonstrating strong leadership, making tough decisions, and adapting strategies as needed, businesses can navigate through challenging surprises and work toward recovery and resilience. 

Develop Wiser Decisions with Slater Success

A recent surprise occurred when an employee who had worked with me for over eight years gave notice to start a new venture. Despite how well we worked together, and how she helped me build Slater Success over the last eight years, I respected her decision and wanted to see her succeed in life, even if it meant she'd be no longer a part of our team. 

As I moved the emotion aside, I went into decision mode and looked at Slater Success and our team with a fresh eye to see who this company needed in moving forward. I used this surprise to step into the opportunity. I decided not to replace this team member but to shift positions around and hire the right several people. At times, this is referred to as reestablishing the right people in the right seats.

Today, I work with CEOs, business owners, and leaders that are now equipped in handling surprises, the good ones and the challenging ones. They have a process in place that assists them in making smart decisions, staying in action, and not getting thrown by the unexpected.  

Remember, your success is determined by your decisions and actions. Connect with us today and learn more about how Slater Success can help you in revitalizing your growth plans and set your business up for success.