Finances

Expect the Unexpected: Effectively Manage Crisis

By Amir Khoshnevis, OD

In business, much like life outside the walls of our offices, we often find ourselves dealing with the unexpected. And you can almost guarantee chaos will strike when you feel content with your situation. But rest assured, most situations we proclaim to be catastrophic, are resolved with the three “T’s”: Time, Team and Tenacity. The proverb, “This too shall pass” (originally from Persian Sufi poets), reminds us that all situations, good or bad, are temporary. This belief has served me in countless situations by reminding me to focus on the now and on the controllable variables.

My good friend and colleague, Alex Martin, OD, of Martin Eye Associates in Sanford, NC, had a large tree fall on his practice on a stormy day last week (destroying most of the building). His friends and family, the team at the office and insurance professionals converged on the scene to assess the situation. Within “a wild 72 hours,” they were able to salvage most valuables and start on the path to relocation. Will Alex be OK? Without a doubt. He is the kind of guy you want next to you in tough times. He suffers from a disease I like to call Über Optimism. Like many of us afflicted souls, he sees opportunity in chaos. Not that we invite chaos, but when it strikes (because it always does), we turn on the “fight” vs. “flight” response.

I hold a firm belief that the culture of your business serves as the guiding light for all of your actions–that when you know who you are and why you exist, all decisions become a clear yes or no. When the unexpected becomes the new reality, you take action to protect the future instead of counting casualties. As a leader, your role is to show your team you have the resolve and confidence needed to guide them through difficult times. Internally you may feel the weight of the situation, but to the outside world, you represent optimism and vision.

And if you’re thinking, “Yeah, but how do I manage my fears?” I suggest using a simple trick taught by sports psychologists. As you approach uncertainty, use your inner voice to repeat these words: “The closer I get, the more confident I become.”

While I wish you all the most peaceful and prosperous year ahead, I hope I’ve given you inspiration to help you deal with mayhem (as Allstate calls it).

What coping and management strategies have you developed to handle the unexpected? How do you keep your practice on track in the midst of chaos?

Amir Khoshnevis, OD, founded Carolina Family Eye Care in 2003. He is a graduate of the Pennsylvania College of Optometry and is a Vision Source Administrator. Dr. Khoshnevis serves as a Professional Development Consultant for Alcon and lectures nationally on practice management topics. He also serves as a national committee member for Optometry Giving Sight. To contact him: drk@carolinafamilyeyecare.com.

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