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WHEN the going gets tough, the tough get going.
Changing Perspectives
Rutendo Gwatidzo
Martin Luther Jr once said: “If you can’t fly, then run; if you can’t run, then walk; if you can’t walk, then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward.”
We are living in tough times, but do not give up.
You need to develop thick skin by employing different strategies.
I grew up in the village.
When my parents relocated to Dande Valley, we lived in a new residential area in the middle of a jungle with different kinds of wild animals.
There was never a dull moment because different animals would target our livestock and crops.
We had to employ different strategies to safeguard what we had because our livelihood depended on it.
It seems nowadays, we are surrounded by many forces that threaten everything we have.
These forces include economic matters, fast-changing technology, social challenges, psychological wars and mental health problems, among others.
It is not easy to run a race where it seems you are losing.
But what matters in a race is reaching the finishing line, and not necessarily being the first to reach it.
Be encouraged to find the strength to keep moving until victory.
The road might be long and hard, but victory will always make up for the sacrifice.
Lessons from the jungle
In the Dande Valley, we always had to be on high alert.
With time, I learnt that if I came across elephants, the next set of animals would most likely be zebras, followed by bucks.
After encountering bucks, I would often change direction, knowing full well that I would most likely meet hyenas, wild dogs and lions.
So, it is necessary to be alert, deliberate and strategic all the time in order to quickly adapt and adjust accordingly.
Organisational status
Most organisations are presently struggling.
Some teams in organisations are anxious because they do not know what tomorrow holds.
A volatile currency, high inflation and shrinking wages make it increasingly difficult for workers.
For some, the work environment now feels like a jungle.
However, there are still strategies that work for almost every organisation.
Some businesses may need to change direction.
Others may need to either increase speed or slow down.
Yet other organisations may need to merge.
The same applies with teams.
Instead of having unnecessary competition, they may need to combine strengths and work on their weaknesses together to achieve set goals.
If teams unite to tackle economic challenges affecting a business through appropriate strategies, they will eventually succeed.
We have organisations that have stood the test of time.
Surely, there is something that many organisations, especially small and medium ones, can learn from them.
Experts can also ably share knowledge and tips on how to manoeuvre.
Combining strengths and achieving set targets become paramount.
Overall, teams need to understand that they are different parts of one body.
Inasmuch as a toe can be small, removing it may affect the functionality of other parts of the body.
I believe tough times require unity and strategy.
But tough times have existed since time immemorial.
Do not throw in the towel.
If others survived or are surviving, then you, too, can survive.
Think outside the box, put pride aside and team up with others to make it work.
Rutendo Gwatidzo is the managing consultant at The HUB HR Consultancy, a culture and change management organisation. She is a multi-award-winning leader as a consultant, speaker and mentor. She is also an author of two books — “Born to Fight” and “Breaking the Silence”. Contact detail: 0714575805/ [email protected] / Rutendo Gwatidzo official FB public page.
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