– A Page From Renaissance Methodology –
When the chips are down how do you handle the situation? Let us be clear about what we mean by this idiom. When the chips are down it means being in a tough situation. This is when we have a lot on the line and the success of our aspirations hinge on uncertain events. We all relate to these types of intense occurrences in our ways. Those times can feel grueling as well as desperate. In these moments life feels like we are in slow motion. Our desired fate hangs in the balance before us and those we hold most dear and feared.
The origin of this idiom resides in the world of gambling and the use of chips representing monetary value. Gamers put these chips down when they want to make a bet. Once the chips have been put down on the board then the bet is final. This is a critical and anxious moment when your fate depends on the outcome of the game. Thus, what a great idiom the phrase makes for so many different situations in our lives. Emerging on top versus being cashed out near penniless and ashamed demands a methodology for handling such times. Getting sucked into the quicksand of distraught thinking and feelings is too easy.
The Resiliency Guide For When The Chips Are Down helps you have a plan to gain momentum to leverage for a superior position. Leaders without this guide or some documented substitute are negligent. Yet rather you are responsible for just you or others too, you better have your plan. Right?
I use the following Resiliency Guide For When The Chips Are Down within the framework of Renaissance Methodology. Whatever that challenging circumstance may be, this guide can help. Its seven elements comprise the winning game plan to seize the chips on the table.
Resiliency Guide For When The Chips Are Down
- Stay focused on the purpose
It is easy to tell people to never lose sight of the purpose. Mike Tyson said, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” When the chips are down it can feel like a punch in the mouth and you are waiting to see if you are going to take the punch and still move forward to victory. Reiterate the value of your mission to yourself and all your stakeholders. This reinforces and invigorates the belief that the goal has a purpose. The obstacles you must cross must not prevent your ultimate success in achieving that which you believe has a purpose. It is easy to be unsure or even doubtful about what will work in this instance. Setting a tone of positivity and perseverance is critical. This reassures yourself and those around you. Show others that despite the circumstances you are unstoppable and a way forward will be opened up.
- Be all about positivity
It is a natural tendency to fixate on the negative. Human nature tends to pile in on the negative talk. Guard against this. No matter if it is at the office or home. People will inevitably start up a conversation or dialogue of discontent and others around eagerly join. Be the shining optimistic attitude that halts this. Guide people back to positivity. Positivity is contagious. Those who maintain positivity are admirable. This will go a long way in motivating all stakeholders to keep working toward goals. Everyone’s ability to solve problems miraculously improves. So, kill negativity on the spot even when it is awkward to shun people’s complaining. Hope is at stake and hope cannot be lost or you are lost. Surround yourself with supportive loving people and make it okay for people to work as a team and use constructive feedback to solve problems.
- Keep moving forward
One way of getting motivated when the chips are down is to take action. List the actions possible to take. Then map out possible repercussions. Get all your stakeholders involved in the process. Be encouraging for the smallest steps forward help. Make decisions swiftly and move. Progress leads to justifiable hope, which is the most contagious. Momentum has healing power for all kinds of woes being experienced that is perfect for any comeback or turnaround situation. Martin Luther King once said, “If you can’t fly, then run, if you can’t run then walk if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.” Take a page from many of the great leaders who recognize that momentum can be accelerated through wise and inspirational speeches.
- Build Support Through Consistent Regimented Two-way Communication
*The “C” in Renaissance Methodology stands for establishing people and processes intertwined with Consistent Regimented Two-way Communication.
Rather you are the leader or a team member, it’s about being a team player. Teams win big when they do not sulk solo or gather for pity parties, but instead communicate constructively. This means supporting each other and talking out solutions to handle whatever happens. Leaders who encourage and instill Consistent Regimented Two-way Communication, in essence, build the strongest core competency any organization can have. Communication is the number one complaint from the vast majority of staff members, senior leaders, prospects, and customers. An open pipeline of communication must flow from the prospects to customers to staff, and up through every level of leadership. This pipeline must be a two-way flow and the voices must be heard and validated. Communication must be regimented with a schedule that the teams meet and feedback is gathered from the market in order to ingrain consistent-repeatable-processes (C-R-P) within the organization. Without this, scalability is in danger. With it, the entire organization can be vested together to continually be improving with direct feedback from the market.
- Keep your standards unwaveringly high
Challenges and stress have a way of cracking individuals even if they are a part of a team. It can start to look wise to comprise standards when challenges intensify. Leaders and staff alike may start thinking it’s easier to achieve a less lofty goal or to ask for less. This is also part of keeping the focus on the original mission. Motivate and inspire so you keep the collective spirits of all your stakeholders high. Be conscious that lowering expectations can be demoralizing. Show your team you believe in the original mission by keeping standards high. Surmounting the seeming insurmountable needs the team to be empathetic to one another and hold each other accountable. Empowering others provides fuel for the empowerment of oneself. Keeping standards high works best when Consistent Regimented Two-way Communication is in effect. Be the gold standard.
- Stick together, “All for one and one for all!”
Unfortunately, human nature has a way of promoting every man or woman for themselves attitude when times are tough. Dissension can be driven by many causes; mistrust, resentfulness, anger, fear, or just a better deal with the grass looking greener on another side. Unification requires individuals to look out for their fellow team members. Kindness and care are contagious. Promoting a cohesive team environment fends off against even the most challenging times. The more difficult the circumstances, the more you’ll find an attitude of every person for himself or herself. Leaders who bring encouragement to challenges and inspire others to do the same then the culture of all the stakeholders is better off. There is strength in unified numbers. Plus, when teams stick together they work together more effectively. When you need to be able to problem-solve under grueling circumstances the confident feeling that those around you will get you back is like a superpower.
- Have fun And know how to blow off steam
Having your back against the wall does not mean you cannot have fun. Be careful not to feel like you do not deserve a break. Hell, you deserve fun! Encourage others to loosen up and be grateful for the many blessings in hand. Go play games, have drinks, break bread, do an escape room, or whatever you define as fun. Remember, there are two levels to blowing off steam. The first is doing it solo. Being able to have, “you time.” is critical. Mental exercises, mediation, yoga, working out, and breathing exercises are amazing to stay Zen-like in the heat of battle. Second, chilling out with family and friends and being, “you,” without fixation on stress is mandatory. It feels even worse to know you are taking away from others when you have a bad attitude. Let family and friends remind you of what life is all about. Give your best to them and they will be a part of your uplifting. Of course, be mindful to keep positive people around you. At the end of the day, you want a balance of comfort from your interactions at work, at play, and especially with family.
Conclusion
Use the, Resiliency Guide For When the Chips Are Down, as your plan and your stakeholder’s plan. Share it so everyone can be on the same page. It feels great to have a documented plan to talk through with your team members. This is the epitome of responsible leadership.
