It started with a light-hearted post in a team WhatsApp. Poking fun at myself as the guy in front bore a passing resemblance.
by Paul Butler
Not Ricky Wilson (I should be so lucky), but his inflatable companion. Tall - tick, spikey hair – tick, long levers – tick, and easy to spot in a crowd – well pushing 6ft 5 certainly helps.
It ended with me receiving a miniature desktop version of the tube guy as a secret santa gift. A nice touch and he’s sitting alongside me floating away as I type this.
But japes aside he’s come to represent something more than more a comedy observation.
We’re often asked as leaders and managers to define our personal values, attributes and behaviours. The cornerstone qualities that guide us, keep us straight and keep us true.
These are sometimes articulated as our personal shield - providing strength and protection as we navigate obstacles and challenges.
Or the words in a holiday resort stick of rock – with a clear something at our core that spells out a Blackpool or Brighton equivalent.
For me they start with authenticity, composure and seeking positivity and purpose. Wrapping themes of remaining calm under pressure, honing on actions and next steps, and looking at the bigger picture.
And I see Tubes – let’s give him a name – as representing a lot of me within that.
Consider the well-worn phrase: “Be clear about your goal but flexible about the process of achieving it.”
He does that as he bobs and weaves away riding the current, occasionally dipping and coming close to falling flat before finding a way to right himself again and return to being strong and steadfast.
His course isn’t always uniform, but he finds a way.
We all have lows, we all stumble and we all have setbacks, but with focus, desire and determination we too can find our way.
I was also struck by two further quotes in some reading around these musings.
The Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu once wrote: “An unbending tree is easily broken”, while Albert Einstein, who knew a thing or two about how things function, stated: “The measure of intelligence is the ability to change.”
You can add ‘rolling with the punches’, ‘riding the storm’ – it’s about coping to withstand adversity by adapting and being flexible.
I default to my personal strengths to provide resilience, and they come to the fore when the pressure hits or when an inevitable curve ball lands. Because life is never truly smooth or constant.
Take an imminent merger with a counterpart organisation to drive efficiencies and improve outcomes. A very real scenario that I and many valued colleagues are currently grappling with.
Your immediate mindset is one of negativity and uncertainty, and this can become all-consuming if you allow it to fester and develop.
However, where there are unknowns there are also tangibles around what you and your teams can deliver and do well. And with this there is opportunity, hope and positive intent to not only survive but to thrive.
Also consider a late intervention when your best-laid plan is about launch, a last-gasp blocker that requires you to tear it up and start again.
But does it mean that? Or is it just another bump to navigate, and something you can overcome through tweaks, adjustments and discussion. By being flexible.
Pause. Reflect. Adapt. Go again with purpose.
And with that here’s a closing thought: If plan A fails there are 25 other letters!
Paul Butler is a senior communications manager at NHS Digital, providing strategic marcomms leadership alongside Comms2Point0 regulars Jude Tipper and Andy Kirby. You can say hello on Twitter at @BoutrosLeeds
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Image via Paul
