Episode 239: Is It Good? Is It Bad? It Just Is: Lessons in Resilience

Send us Fan MailIs It Good? Is It Bad? It Just Is: Lessons in ResilienceFresh off a 17-hour flight from New York and jetlagged beyond belief, Sacha joins Ish to talk about resilience, mental fortitude, and adapting when things go spectacularly wrong. This episode is raw, real, and packed with stories about handling crisis situations—from emergency room visits in New York to water landings in Fiji—and the lessons we can apply to workplace challenges.Key Topics DiscussedHuman Adaptation & ResilienceHow quickly we adjust to unexpected circumstances (from rookie to pro in 24 hours)The triumph of the human spirit in rapidly adapting to new normsAbove and below the line thinking: be open, be curious, and remember that eventually everything's funny from a distancePlaying to Strengths in CrisisRecognising the different roles people can play when things go wrongNot everyone needs to respond the same wayEveryone needs to respond with purpose in the forward directionDon't get stuck in "this is terrible"—move toward solutionsWorkplace ApplicationsHow do we respond when things are genuinely hard?The choice: spread misery or move things forwardWhat's the ONE thing you can do that makes things better?Delivers more value, helps more people, or makes this a more fun place to workKey Takeaways for LeadersAdaptation Speed Matters: The faster you can accept and adjust to new circumstances, the faster you can move forwardReframe the Narrative: Practice the "is it good/is it bad/it just is" mindsetLeverage Different Strengths: In a crisis, let people contribute according to their strengthsForward Motion Over Perfection: Focus on what moves things forward, not on perfect solutionsChoose Your Response: You can't always control what happens, but you can control whether you add to the problem or the solutionAction Items for ListenersThis week, when something goes wrong (and it will):Pause and ask: "Is this good? Is this bad? Or does it just...is?"Identify: What's ONE thing you can do to move forward?Recognise: What strengths can you (and your team) bring to this situation?Remember: Eventually, everything's funny from a distance—how quickly can you get there?Episode Number: 238The Not So Breakfast Show - A podcast for leadership and career developmentSometimes the best lessons come from when things go spectacularly wrong.The 30-Minute Presenter ProgramLearn how to map out your content, structure your thoughts, and craft messages that truly matter.Check out our 30-Minute Presenter Program today.Click here to learn more