If all organizations were really good at expecting the unexpected (and preparing for it), we wouldn’t need people who specialize in helping organizations to change successfully.  The reality, however, is that few organizations are good at this. 

I continue to encounter client organizations for whom “expect the unexpected” is still a common phrase yet they really don’t live by those words in their every day.  And that’s a real shame because I think, as human beings, we’re actually pretty darn good at living by those words in real life.

I’d like to look at an every day example of how people deal with the unexpected – the weather.  Most of us check the weather forecast whenever we’re planning to go outside… for a bike ride, to walk around downtown, or head out of town for a long weekend getaway.  And if the forecast looks less than ideal, we plan for it… we wear a jacket, bring an umbrella or pack rain gear.  And if the forecast turns out to be correct, well, we deal with it.  Expecting the unexpected is key to life.

I’d like to share a story about a camping trip in Bar Harbor, Maine that featured a tent and an unexpected rain storm. The year is 2009 or 2010 and as I recall, we had delayed our trip by several days because the forecast expected thunder showers for most of the week but was calling for clear skies with a 10% POP for the next four days. My brother and his family went early anyway (they have a pop-up trailer) and the weather turned out to be fine for them… until we arrived.

Our drive down was a stormy one and we were a bit concerned about what we’d find at our destination. We found cloudy but not rainy (that’s good when you have to set up a tent and a kitchen shelter).  The next day was a beauty – we spent the day in Acadia National Park.

It was a perfect day – sunny and hot.  We played soccer, paddle ball, dug holes and body surfed in the chilly North Atlantic. At about 3pm, however, the weather turned cool and cloudy (quite quickly) so we decided to pack it in.  Within minutes of hitting the road, there was rain on the windshield.  I’m thinking “This is great, just great!”  We got back to the campground and the rain didn’t seem too bad so we got cleaned up and headed into town to find dinner and a movie at Reel Pizza (a movie house that serves pizza).  By the time we arrived it was absolutely pouring.  Crap!  And Reel Pizza’s feature had changed from G-Force (guinea pig spies… great for kids) to Public Enemies (for kids? Not so much).  Crap again!!

We managed to find parking and then a pizza joint (Epi’s)… when you have 5 kids in tow (that’s both families not just mine) and it’s coming down in buckets (and you’re re-setting expectations — “sorry, guys, no movie tonight”), you’re looking to find cover and food quickly.  The pizza was good and the atmosphere authentic New England pizzeria.

After we finished (it was only 6 o’clock) so we decided maybe we’d find a movie in a neighboring town.  But first a stop at the campground to commiserate.  We decided to skip the movie (showtime was 8:00 – not great for the 3- and 5-year olds in our clan) and returned to our sites.  I was concerned about the state of my tent anyway — and for good reason.

When we got back, the kids settled into my brother’s trailer with the portable DVD version of Finding Nemo and I checked the tent.  Crap, yet again!!!!  Water pooling in the corners, duffle bags moist, sleeping bags and pads soaked.  Thanks to Coleman for that awesome rainfly.  After much effort, my bro and I got it taken care of — we bought a 10×20 tarp, covered the tent, pegged it down… Wendy took the sleeping bags and pillows to the on-site laundry facility and the rest, as they say, is history.  In the end, we responded well and managed the situation successfully.  The Shipyard IPA, Gritty McDuff’s Vacationland Ale, Miller Chill and Geary’s Summer Ale didn’t hurt things.  Our final couple days in Bar Harbor were perfect.  We can’t wait to go back.

Our reason for success – (1) we have lots of experience camping, (2) cool heads prevail, and (3) it helps to have a sense of humour.  Although we didn’t expect rain, it’s camping and we understand anything can happen.  We expected (sort of) the unexpected even if we weren’t fully prepared for it.

Did I mention that on the way into Bar Harbor (on day 1) I said to my wife “Maybe I should pick up a tarp”.  I had tossed mine a few years ago after it had gotten beat up after years of use (I’ve been tempting fate ever since and this weekend, fate made me pay).  And then I said those famous last words “Nah, we’ll be fine.”

Sound familiar?  How many times have executive sponsors made that statement when deciding whether or not to invest some project dollars in much-needed but often under-valued activities like communications, stakeholder engagement, training and good long-range planning?  “Nah, we’ll be fine.”

And how many times has that turned out to be a good decision?…

That’s what I thought you’d say.