A high performance team is one that see opportunity in a crisis. And convert disadvantages to advantages.
On the 27th of October, I delivered a presentation to 120 senior executives of the Manulife Asia Senior Leadership team.
Elements of my address included Clarity and Unity of Purpose, Background of Relatedness, Judgement and Reflexivity, Psychological Space and Systems Thinking. I shared that the ongoing global pandemic crisis would be my first felt global VUCA (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity) experience in my lifetime. The environment presents both challenges and opportunities. For any high performing team to thrive, team members need to develop a Reflexive Mindset and Judgement.
Reflexivity akin to the ability to flow like water is critical (a metaphor coined by the legendary Bruce Lee), because the usual roadmaps, milestones and scenario planning are of lesser usability in a VUCA world. But for this to happen, one has to create a safe psychological space for each other. I also shared in-depth on the relevance of Judgement in a period of uncertainty.
Before my presentation, Khoo Kah Siang, CEO of Manulife Singapore posed me three questions. Head over to IGTV to watch the videos as I talk about the COVID-19 Actuaries Response Group, the IFoA, my fond (and not so fond) memories in my 40 –year career, my interest in psychology and the charting of career paths. Below are the video clips.