Image Credit: Depositphotos

It is the final seconds of the fourth quarter of the championship game. Throughout the game, the teams have been running neck and neck. They are now tied as the clock ticks down. The crowd is on its feet.

The momentum is headed in one direction, like a wave, when suddenly one player gains possession of the ball from the opposing team. The crowd goes wild. He holds the ball for dear life, plants one foot solidly, and pivots. This move gives him the ability to take the defining shot of his basketball career – and he scores!

How does this apply to business?

This is where business is today – the momentum is rolling. Things are moving fast. The clock is ticking. Whether the movement carries you to defeat or to victory depends on your ability to plant and pivot.

While planning is good, business and careers don’t always go as planned. Sometimes, they require a pivot. You must be aware of opportunity, even if the crowd is going full-on in one direction. You must keep pace but also look for the opportunity to take the necessary action to win.

A pivot point is, essentially, a central “stake in the ground” that doesn’t change. What it does is allow grounded movement in the midst of change. It provides grounded flexibility.

How can you be grounded AND flexible?

First, be grounded

1. Define your mission and vision.
2. Know your values.
3. Develop your strengths.
4. Establish your boundaries.
5. Set winning goals.

And then, be flexible.

1. Develop a constant awareness of your surroundings.
2. Plant yourself with your five grounding stakes but be flexible with how you work, where you work, what you produce, and what you do.
3. Be willing to learn new things and develop new skills, all while staying planted in your mission, vision, values, strengths, boundaries, and long-range goals.
4. Adapt your strengths to new needs and technologies. For example:

• If you are a builder, ask yourself what else you can build. Or who can you help build?
• If you are a teacher, what new subjects can you teach? What new area needs your care and contribution? What group of students needs your help?
• If you are a speaker, what new topics can you choose, or what new challenges can you address?
• If you are a coach, what new demographics can you help? What new needs can you address?
• If you are in sales or marketing, what new approach do you need to take? How can you best communicate with your potential and current clients? How can you better connect?

Your championship moment will come. Will you be practiced, aware, and ready enough to seize the opportunity and score the winning goal?

Curious how your company measures up in this area, with real data you can take to the bank?  Connect with us or take the assessment here (https://www.orgiqsuite.com/). Get your Culture Scorecard today and get back on track to success.

Deb Ingino is a highly sought-after executive coach, mentor, consultant, and speaker worldwide. Deb is well versed in business operations and in the importance of asking key questions most business leaders won’t ask themselves. She brings deep experience in leadership development, strategy, high performance team building and effective communication. She has a passion for leading people to discover and maximize their strengths as well as those of fellow team members, while offering advanced strategies to achieve high performance. Deb is the perfect fit if you’re ready to take your leadership and impact to the next level!