Having Great Heart

Hard times are impartial, striking anyone regardless of their background, status, or achievements. They serve as reminders of life's unpredictability, testing resilience and prompting growth in ways one might never anticipate. No one is immune to the challenges life presents, making adaptability and perseverance crucial traits for navigating through them.

Sitting down with a highly respected and top-notch doctor who unexpectedly reached out for support, I found myself in a unique position of trust. She confided in me about a deeply troubling situation: a partner, whom she had trusted implicitly throughout their joint venture, had never reciprocated that trust and was now leaving her to navigate the repercussions alone. This act of betrayal left her grappling with the responsibility of a "sinking ship," highlighting the complexities of trust and loyalty in professional relationships.

In the eyes of this caring and loving doctor, what immediately came to mind amidst her turmoil was her solemn oath to serve and protect, a commitment that extended beyond the patient's bedside to the very essence of her business. Though her venture was not patient care directly, she recognized its vitality not just as a business but as a living entity in the eyes of her employees and the broader community she had vowed to serve. This realization reaffirmed her determination to keep the business afloat, acknowledging its significance and the impact it could have on many lives, fueling her resolve to navigate through the challenges with grace and resilience. “Keep calm and carry on,” she said to me. “You have to have heart.”

My heart was aglow with admiration. Keep Calm and Carry On was a motivational poster produced by the Government of the United Kingdom in 1939 in preparation for World War II. The poster was intended to raise the morale of the British public, which was threatened with widely predicted mass air attacks on major cities. The idea is simple: in times of strife, we have to stay afloat to stay in the battle. To turn the tide, great resilience and the desire to see it through are required. You have to have heart: heart for what you stand for, heart for what you believe, and heart for those you do it for. We only lose when we give up.

So here, and from the conversation that followed, are five things to do in times of strife:

1. Focus on Core Values

Stay true to your core values, even in times of strife. These values serve as a guiding light and can help maintain a sense of purpose and direction when the path forward seems unclear. Building a business culture around these values fosters unity and resilience among the team. Practicing consistent communication of these values, through both actions and decisions, solidifies their importance and can inspire all involved to persevere.

One of her first steps she resolved to take was to have a dedicated meeting reaffirming her core values and sharing personal stories of how these values had guided their decisions and actions. She stated the company’s purpose and what she believed in, regardless of what the partner did. This collaborative session not only strengthened the team's commitment to these principles but also encouraged a shared sense of purpose and resilience.

2. Call On Your Support Network

The next immediate task is the importance of building and maintaining a strong support network of peers, mentors, and advisors. This network can provide not just emotional support but also practical advice and solutions that might not have been considered. It’s internal and external. Share the situation with key team members in an honest and transparent manner to foster trust and collaboration. Reach out to your support network of mentors, advisors, and peers for advice, potential solutions, and emotional support.

In order to instill a collaborative spirit, her team would call on financial, business, and marketing experts to convene and devise a comprehensive plan for the company's survival. The goal is to have the team pool their knowledge and expertise to outline strategies that would navigate the company through its current challenges while setting a foundation for a resilient and prosperous future, and calendar them to execute and perform in a way that could be assessed.

3. Prioritize Well-being

With an executable plan in place, the next focus is to prioritize your own well-being and that of affected employees. Stress and burnout can cloud judgment and reduce productivity, making it harder to navigate through tough times. Implementing regular mental health breaks and encouraging a healthy work-life balance are vital. This can be achieved by setting clear boundaries between work and personal time and fostering an environment where taking time off for mental health is supported and respected.

Daily rituals such as starting the day with mindfulness or meditation sessions to center oneself, taking scheduled breaks throughout the day to step away from work and recharge, and ending the day with a reflection activity to acknowledge accomplishments and set intentions for the next day were immediately prioritized and encouraged in the office and the home. Upon entering the office, she requested that all forms of negative speech and assigning blame be left outside.

4. Practice Financial Prudence

Have all key team members keep a close eye on cash flow, reduce unnecessary expenses, and seek out alternative revenue streams, if that applies. Efficient financial management is critical for enduring periods of difficult economic times. Regularly reviewing financial statements, planning for different scenarios, and focusing on building a reserve fund can help a business stay afloat and even thrive in the long term. Encouraging a culture of financial literacy within the organization ensures that everyone understands the importance of and contributes to the company's financial health.

A weekly review of cash flow and expenses was implemented, allowing for immediate adjustments and the identification of cost-saving measures. This practice would not only help in maintaining a healthy financial status but also instill a culture of financial awareness and responsibility within the organization, ensuring key team members are aligned with the company's economic goals.

5. Embrace Adaptability

To remain adaptable and ready to pivot their strategies in response to changing circumstances, seeking alternative paths is imperative. This flexibility allows businesses to navigate through uncertainties more effectively. To best achieve this, regularly assess the market and your business model, staying open to implementing new approaches. This habit not only ensures survival but can also uncover new opportunities for growth and innovation.

The important strategy here was not putting all hopes in one outcome but preparing for various scenarios, which not only safeguarded the company's future but also opened up new avenues for growth and sustainability. From potentially selling the company to securing new capital, she thoroughly evaluated her business and explored diverse funding sources, including venture capital and strategic partnerships. She also initiated discussions with potential buyers and investors well in advance, ensuring she had multiple options to consider.

Take a moment to look back on the times you faced a challenge that seemed insurmountable; perhaps it was the first day stepping into a role you felt unprepared for or the overwhelming sensation of starting anew after a personal setback. Remember the surge of pride and relief when, against all odds, you found a way through, much like the underdog who crosses the finish line when no one thought it possible? These moments of triumph, born from sheer will and perseverance, remind us that within each of us lies an indomitable spirit capable of surpassing every expectation.

That is the heart of entrepreneurial resilience. In the face of adversity, the true spirit of resilience shines brightest when we embrace the ethos of keeping calm and carrying on. It's a testament to the strength within us all, encouraging us to navigate through storms with grace, adaptability, and unwavering determination. Let this guiding principle fuel our passion to overcome challenges, inspire innovation, and unite us in the pursuit of a brighter, more resilient future. Together, armed with a positive mindset and collective resolve, there's no obstacle too daunting to surmount.

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