Yes, times are tough. Sure, there doesn’t appear to be a way through.
Given the extreme conditions you’re in – the chaos, the stress, the unpredictable nature of your work – perhaps the most important question to answer is this: Do I believe we can – or do I believe only some can? (This is not a rhetorical question.)
Under-performing teams delay. They tentatively move forward, waiting for the evidence to surface that the terrain is safe. They believe that success isn’t something they create – it’s something that happens to them. Therefore, they reserve their effort, should they have to defend their bunker.
For those who believe we can (we will), their team is released to a more valuable conversation. Success is no longer a question of “if.” They now see things differently, so they do things differently.
(The next two questions are: Why do we believe we can? And, When will we…?)
In my position I keep in mind that what I do has to reflect the end goal, getting the veteran into a career that makes them happy.
Gary – thanks for sharing what you believe, and the reminder to focus on our purpose and why that’s important.