The 9inth Actuality

As I embark on this, my next edition in the 6ixth Evolution series; I must admit that I feel a bit like “Chicken Little” or possibly “The Boy Who Cried Wolf”. I am sure I have that reputation within my own group of colleagues, friends, and family. I must have been referred to (on occasion) as Dr. Doom and I can occasionally hear the “eyeball rolls” when I speak on the topic of what our economic and socio-cultural future likely has in store for us. Yes, this is a lonely (even unpopular) endeavor. I am the bearer of bad news in a world where it is increasingly easy, accepted and desirable to be entertained, to experience and to opportunistically “stick our head in the sand” and ignore problematic truths and realities. Truths, such as out-of-control government debts and deficits, climate challenges and structural inequities (both past and present) as well as political opportunism on a scale that was likely never thought possible. And while it is accurate that collectively, humanity is resilient and has an excellent track record of outmaneuvering most problems that come our way. There can be and are lost groups or even generations of people that happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time; finding themselves boxed out and unable to adapt and recover during a natural lifetime (and career span). So, the optimist in me shares that belief; that we will figure it all out (eventually). But the realist in me understands and acknowledges that we will all be on a rather turbulent flight together and even if we “win the battle” there will be numerous casualties along the way. This turbulent and convulsive reality will very likely unfold in the coming decades and there is probably not much that can be done (at this point) to avoid this imminent reality. The question is… will you be prepared? Can you be prepared? Yes, you can. My first edition in the 6ixth Evolution series, The 6ixth Evolution – Managing Lives and Careers Through Convulsive Times, explored how individuals can position their lives and careers for such realities. We introduced the Promethean Framework Measurement Instrument and demonstrated how to assess your Convulsive Economic Quotient (CEQ), illustrating how your life and career are situated for such environments (along with suggestions on how to better position yourself moving forward). This next edition in the series (The 9inth Actuality – How Everything Changed and How Adaptability is Fast Becoming the New Gold) delves deeper into one of the central areas of the Promethean Framework, specifically the skill of adaptability. We will examine how humanity has adapted in the past to some of the world’s most historic and convulsive events. Additionally, we will examine stories of individuals and organizations facing such realities as well as the skills needed to push through successfully (or at least with minimal damage sustained). Finally, we will introduce the Heraclitus Framework and Measurement Instrument which will assess your Adaptability Quotient (AQ), illustrating how well your adaptability competencies have you positioned to weather the more convulsive landscapes that will likely lie ahead. I hope you enjoy this next installment of the 6ixth Evolution Series. My goal is to be grounded and realistic. I am not naïve enough to think books such as this can save us from much of the realities that await us, but hopefully we can supply some accessible and practical tools that serve as a “seatbelt or safety harness” to keep us seated, secured (and hopefully safe) no matter the realities that present themselves.