Flexibility in Motion: Vishnu Artists' Retrospective Resilience

Photo by Jillian Amatt on Unsplash.

In the dynamic world of project management and team retrospectives, one of our coaches, Philipp Heitz recently showcased the epitome of adaptability and creative problem-solving. As they went on a journey to a client's location for a crucial retrospective meeting, they faced an all-too-familiar adversary of travellers: train delays. Opting for the Deutsche Bahn, the team encountered unexpected delays that threatened to postpone their important session. However, their response to this situation was nothing short of innovative.

The Journey Begins

The Vishnu Artists' coaches were en route to a retrospective meeting, integral to their methodology for continuous improvement and client satisfaction. However, typical of travel, especially on the Deutsche Bahn, they faced significant delays.

An Unforeseen Challenge

Train delays are disruptive, particularly for time-sensitive engagements like retrospectives. Although starting without the full team, especially facilitators was less than ideal, this challenge prompted the Vishnu Artists' coaches to demonstrate remarkable adaptability and innovation.

A Creative Solution

Instead of passively waiting for the train to reach its destination, they transformed the Bordbistro — the train's dining car — into a makeshift conference room. Leveraging the resources available to them, they started the retrospective offline by placing post-it notes on the table. Each note represented different points for discussion, feedback, or ideas that they planned to address in the meeting.

This approach not only allowed them to make productive use of the travel time but also exemplified the core principles of agility and flexibility. It highlighted the importance of not being tied to a specific location for collaboration and innovation.

Lessons Learned

The situation that the Vishnu Artists' coaches found themselves in offers valuable lessons for teams and individuals alike:

Adaptability: The ability to adjust to new conditions is a key skill in both personal and professional realms. The coaches' quick thinking turned a potentially negative situation into a productive one.

Remote Collaboration: This incident illustrates that effective collaboration can happen anywhere. With a bit of creativity, any space can be transformed into a productive work environment.

Preparation for Uncertainty: Always have a backup plan. The world is unpredictable, and having a flexible mindset allows you to tackle unforeseen challenges head-on.

The experience of the Vishnu Artists' coaches serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of adaptability and creativity in overcoming obstacles. By turning a delayed train journey into an impromptu retrospective session, they not only ensured the continuity of their work but also reinforced the value of embracing unpredictability with a positive mindset. In today's fast-paced world, such skills are invaluable, making the difference between stagnation and progress.