Predict and Prepare

Ever feel like you’re constantly stuck in a never-ending cycle of reacting to the next big crisis? I’ve been there. A friend once gave me simple but powerful advice: “Predict, and prepare.”

At first, that felt impossible—too much was changing, too many surprises. But the truth is, mature leadership isn’t about avoiding crisis; it’s about anticipating it like trains on tracks so you can better navigate it. Early-stage organizations (and leaders) often operate in pure reaction mode. Every problem is urgent. Every challenge is unexpected. It’s exhausting—and unsustainable.

The next step in leadership maturity? Creating some tracks for crisis response with intentional preparation. That means:

• • Seeing the bigger picture and planning for contingencies.
  • Mapping out likely scenarios—before they happen.
  • Asking better questions, seeking better data.
  • Creating space for long-term thinking, not just short-term survival.

What future challenges can you predict? What plans do you need to put in place today to create some train tracks when it comes to change and crisis? More importantly—how can you give your team the breathing room to think beyond the immediate crisis?

Your leadership maturity depends on it. And so does the future of your organization.