Whether or not you’re familiar with the term “inflection point,” I can almost guarantee you’ve been in one personally or professionally. Inflection points are as old as time, though it wasn’t until the early 1990s that Intel CEO, Andy Grove, coined the business term Strategic Inflection Point. Grove would then go on to release the incredibly impactful business guide, Only the Paranoid Survive, which I highly recommend reading if you haven’t already.

The general premise of a strategic inflection point is this: massive change has occurred, and a company must adapt or fall by the wayside. It seems ominous, but inflection points provide an incredible opportunity for organizations to emerge stronger, healthier, and better than they were before.

Over the years, Medix has withstood several strategic inflection points. Matter of fact, we are going through one right now, as are so many other organizations. Between the aftermath of the pandemic, figuring out return–to–office policies, and a host of other concerns companies are currently facing, it’s crucial to use this time, and times like this, to collaborate, communicate and grow.   

How do you do that, you ask?

Easier said (or in this case, written) than done, here are three tips to help you and your organization overcome inflection points:

Identification

First and foremost, leaders need to identify they’re at an inflection point. It seems simple, and yet there are times when companies can’t recognize the forest for the trees, either because they don’t want to, they’re too far in the weeds, or they’re too focused on staying the course.

Part of overcoming inflection points is keeping your head on a swivel. Listen to your internal teams’ feedback, read the newspaper, and watch the news for clues.  Stay current with your industry and advance your business acumen. Be honest with yourself and your company, and be ready to have tough conversations and make difficult decisions.

Systems & Processes

Adaptability is key when it comes to overcoming inflection points. Businesses that can quickly pivot their strategies in response to changing market conditions are more likely to thrive. With this in mind, what systems are you currently leveraging that make your organization agile? Do you have the processes in place to make decisions quickly and allow your team to act fast? If not, there’s no time like the present to get those tools implemented.

Mentality

Your mentality through any challenge plays a pivotal impact in the overall outcome. In Jim Collins’ book, Good to Great, he talks about the Stockdale Paradox, and I bring this up here because I think this concept is fundamental in understanding how your mindset can manifest specific results.

Furthermore, leaders need to be humble enough to realize they don’t, and won’t, know everything. Approach inflection points with a day-one mentality. Be open to ideas and thoughts outside the norm, and have an attitude of being interested in the right answer, and not just being right.

Inflection points can seem daunting, but they also present unique opportunities for growth and transformation. By embracing inflection points, and approaching them with the right systems, processes, and mentality, you can navigate these pivotal moments with confidence and emerge stronger and better than ever.