Nothing is normal anymore
Change again, and start anew. Then back again, but differently. That is one of the most important lessons we’ve learned from the pandemic. We should be honest with ourselves: After the pandemic, the changes will continue—including unexpected ones that are hard to control, such as those driven by the digital transformation, which is still in its early stages. Nothing is normal anymore. Except for one thing that will always remain: We can make a difference!
We humans long for peace and stability—at least a little bit. There will still be moments like these in the future. We should create space for relaxation, both for ourselves and within our organizations. Then we’ll be ready to embrace the excitement of the next changes we get to shape.
Effectuation increases our scope
It’s not just our attitude that matters—simply accepting that normality, as we’ve understood it so far, is an illusion. That’s not a problem as long as we know how to deal with this situation. The concept of effectuation helps us take action, both as individuals and as an organization.
We can fully direct our energy toward where we have opportunities to act. Our attention and expectations are not focused on our environment, which we cannot influence. We focus on the effects we can achieve. Hence the term “effectuation.”
These are the four essential elements of the concept, which can be applied in any situation:
- These are my resources: The available tools and competencies are gathered, and immediately actionable goals are set based on them—for example, initially for the next ten days.
- This is my commitment: The level of commitment I can realistically make (and the potential loss I can bear) is assessed and determined. On this basis, it can be decided which measures will actually be implemented.
- These are my partners: Potential collaborators or supporters are identified and approached immediately. These contacts for cooperation may yield further opportunities for action that were previously unknown.
- These are my obstacles: For the targeted outcomes, we consider which risks or obstacles need to be taken into account. If they occur, our own actions are immediately readjusted—even if that means going “back to square one.”
If we follow effectuation, we can more easily cope with the fact that, after the pandemic, it will be part of our new normal that nothing is normal anymore. Then, hardly anything will shake us.