#22 Navigating uncertainty through times of crisis with David Lynch

"values-led project management is the way to solve complex problems" 

In this episode of let's talk David and I delve into his wealth of experience in dealing with uncertainty in times of crisis and look at the learnings that we can use for both leadership, and managing the current pandemic. We discuss building resilience, using cultural understanding as a lever for change and how we react to familiar structures and cultural codes in times of crisis. We look at the need for a more collective approach to changing for the better; focusing on values such as altruism, happiness, justice, empathy, compassion and honesty - qualities that authentic leaders embrace to 'tell it like it is' and make positive changes on the ground. As with any sustainable change initiative, starting small and amplifying throughout your given environment to create impact is the way forward. 

David shares his wealth of experience and insight from working with countries, organisations and communities both big and small from across the globe. 

The main insights you'll get from this episode are :

• thinking differently and building resilience, both physically and mentally, requires a common framework and shared values; particularly in times of crisis and when facing difficult, complex problems, values-led project management is crucial
• it is likewise essential to understand other cultures and ask the question 'how' (e.g. how to bring about change?) rather than 'why' (e.g. why is it this way?)
• power is generally entrenched in systems that resist change and 'the new'; a shift in power dynamics or a change of role can trigger a wide-reaching toxic reaction 
• digital / the Internet are tools for transferring ideas, communicating and mobilising people at grass roots level, empowering people to express themselves and have their voices heard - changing the structure means embracing both the formal and informal channels of communication and drilling down into how something works
• times of crisis undermine structures and tend to both expose and exacerbate their faults; capitalising on these opportunities for change should ideally influence policy to bring about improvements for the greater good
• there must be a more collective approach to changing for the better; focusing on values such as altruism, happiness, justice, empathy, compassion and honesty - qualities that good leaders embrace to 'tell it like it is' and make positive changes on the ground
• starting small, doing things differently, listening to individual stories, caring for others and the planet, and amplifying change outward through personal interaction is where it all begins