Thriving During Crisis

“Close scrutiny will show that most ‘crisis situations’ are opportunities to either advance or stay where you are.” – Maxwell Maltz
In March, the coronavirus pandemic dramatically changed our world in weeks. We were immediately forced into a new paradigm of what it means to be alive, including danger, uncertainty, fear, and of course social isolation. Then came all the civil unrest and protests. Adjusting to this crisis has been confronting, threatening and challenging for many of us.

It is easy to focus on all the doom and gloom – skyrocketing unemployment, economic fallout, disruption to society, rioting, and the list goes on – and for many, the economic impact on their businesses is a constant worry.

The pandemic hasn’t just changed the world, it has also dramatically changed our businesses and workplaces. It’s called upon leaders to quickly pivot towards effectively leading in this uncertain era. Navigating this new normal has come with many complexities and constantly changing circumstances to quickly adjust and respond to.

However, there is a silver lining. Historically, during economic disruption, new business models are born and those companies with leaders who can quickly adapt, can hit the reset button and weather the storm. In fact, the 2008 financial crisis led to the birth of Uber and AirBnB, creating the new gig economy and disrupting the taxi/hotel industry. There is always opportunity if we’re willing to look and take decisive action – and this is true of your law firm as well.

As the country reopens, life isn’t going to go back to “normal.” All business plans tend to have life cycles, especially in seasons of change. Now is the time to focus on yours.
As leaders, we have the responsibility to grasp our current reality while maintaining a positive and growth-oriented mindset, to focus on what we can control, and to provide a new framework for the vision of our organizations. It means leading and inspiring people about the vision, rather than knowing everything or making perfect decisions. A journey is never a straight line… sometimes we may feel like we are taking two steps backward or sideways.

However, those obstacles are a path to creativity, to growth, to transformation. Commitment is about knowing what you stand for and accepting the struggles that cross our paths. It’s about continuing to push forward for the accomplishment of a greater vision.

To foster your own growth and that of your team and your organization, continue to question things. Challenge your assumptions and the way things work. What will it take to transform your current business model into one that will support your organization to thrive and make a difference for your clients and your community in this post-Covid world?

What are the questions that you can start to ask yourself every day to challenge yourself and the way the world occurs to you? How can you uncover where you’re resisting change? Sometimes, it means asking ourselves tough questions. Questions that make us feel uncomfortable.

1. Am I motivated to improve and grow?
2. What are my knowledge gaps?
3. What’s one new thing I‘m going to learn today?
4. What’s the one thing I’ll do differently today?
5. How am I making a difference?
6. What does my law firm need the most from me today?
7. What would [insert mentor’s name] do to handle this challenge?
8. Are the projects I’m working on making an impact? Is there another project that would be more impactful on the long-term vision?

Growth is rarely easy or comfortable, often it’s the hardest thing we have to do, but also one of the most critical. What is the new vision for your firm? And, what questions can you ask yourself each day to ensure your law firm is effectively pivoting through the crisis?

Lillian Valdez
Practice Leadership Coach
American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.
9444 Balboa Avenue, Suite 300
San Diego, California 92123
Phone: (858) 453-2128
www.aaepa.com