Election season is over, and the aftermath for some feels like waking up after a major storm—bereft space where elder trees once stood, surprise flooding on the roadways, and the nagging sense that soon your roof will be leaking (or the underground sump pump will take on a new life come Spring). Whether you’re commiserating, confused, or crying, one thing’s for sure: change is here. At Shine Lab Associates, we’re here to help you navigate what comes next without losing your footing—or your mind.
Now, we know that strategic planning in uncertain times can feel like building a sandcastle during high tide. As Mike Tyson says, “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.” Well, we always say, “when the going gets tough, Shine Lab gets shining.” So, as we take stock of our final Fall harvest, let’s get strategic. Here’s a no-nonsense guide to staying sane and productive as you map out your next moves.
Step 1: Zoom In to Attune
Before you start crafting grand strategies, check in with the most important player—you. Are you functioning at your best? Strategy is a mental marathon, and no one wins by running on fumes. Take a cue from leadership expert Anese Cavanaugh and her IEP method (Intention, Energy, and Presence). In plain terms: get some real sleep, eat something that didn’t come out of a vending machine, and spend time with people who remind you why you care about this work. Remember, “put your own oxygen mask on first.” When you’re in top form, you’ll bring sharper focus and energy to your team and your mission.
Step 2: Know How to Swim (and Don’t Go Alone)
Ever seen those beach signs warning about rip currents? They might as well be talking about strategic planning. First rule: make sure you know how to swim. Translation? Gather your data—KPIs, budget forecasts, stakeholder input—and understand your operational landscape.
Second rule: never swim alone. Strategy is a team sport. You need folks who bring both content expertise (the hard numbers and facts) and context expertise (the lived experiences and insights that ground your work). As our colleague Carrie Y. Hepburn-Brown aptly puts it, context experts are your secret weapon for strategies that actually work in real life.
Step 3: Zoom Out
It’s easy to get lost in the weeds, but never forget the golden rule: strategy serves people, not just spreadsheets. Keep your eyes on your mission. Backmapping—working backward from your long-term vision—can help you stay aligned with your ultimate goals while ensuring no unintended harm befalls the communities you serve. Think of it as your “north star” technique, keeping everyone rowing in the right direction.
Ready to Dive In?
At Shine Lab Associates, we thrive on helping changemakers like you navigate complexity and build strategies that stick. Whether you’re planning your next big move or just trying to keep your head above water, we’re here to help you turn post-election uncertainty into actionable, sustainable progress. Let’s tackle the tides together.
Shine Lab Associates 