Stability? Is There Such a Thing?

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In my recent book, I have a chapter dedicated to change where I emphatically state that “change is a constant in a constant state of change.” That is for sure.

We got into a very interesting discussion in a Teams meeting the other day, centered around the notion of stability. I’m not sure that stability is a reality anymore.

Can we offer our teams stability? Stability in the traditional point of view?

Read the news … very little stability. Review the competitive landscape of the industries where we work … very little stability.

I’m not sure we can really offer our people stability anymore. I’m not sure that stability is a promise that we can make. Change is a constant in a constant state of change. “Stability” may be a notion of the past, at least in the way we have traditionally thought about it.

But … we know that the lack of stability is frightening, unsettling, and sometimes chaotic. As a leader, how do you avoid all of that? Our job is to avoid all of that!

In my view, leadership is not about offering stability, but instead offering guidance through the constant change that we not only have to live with but that we have to drive. If you aren’t changing then you are likely moving backwards. So instead of trying to bring stability, it’s more important to provide vision and a pathway of forward movement.

When change is purposeful and guided, then it IS stable. Just a new form of stabilty. A new state of growth and constant evolution that in fact does make life stable. Because you are in control.

I can live with that! What’s your experience? JIM