Page 4 - Sojourner Newsletter-Spring 2025_Final

4 THE SOJOURNER

NATIONAL SECRETARY’S DESK

What does “Never Normal” mean?

A lot of us feel completely overwhelmed by all the constant change, uncertainty,
technological, social, and geopolitical challenges surrounding us. Some, mainly
luddites, say this is all due to how the world changed during and after COVID. The
same individuals that are waiting for things to return to normal, or go back to the
good ole days, and speak on past policies as if they will provide a magical
foundation to build on for the future.

Most of us know and realize it was happening many years before the fallout of the pandemic. For instance
the industrial revolution, the cultural revolution and the advent of computers, smart-phones, and other
electronic devices ushered in a new reality of a world in permanent flux and where “normal” keeps getting
redefined across all aspects of our daily lives. Recently, I was fortunate enough to hear an incredible keynote
speaker, Peter Hinssen, at a business conference who addressed this “Never Normal” within our work and
daily environments.

Peter Hinssen is a global keynote speaker, bestselling author, business school lecturer, LinkedIn Top Voice,
serial entrepreneur, trusted board member, startup investor and the world’s leading innovation, technology and
leadership expert. He is the author of 5 best-selling books and coined the phrase “Never Normal”.

Adaptability in the face of constant change is one of the biggest challenges of the “Never Normal”, leaving
leadership anxious about how they can keep their businesses, themselves, and their teams relevant. Other
words, “what got you here won’t get you there”.

Leadership in the “Never Normal” means pivoting away from the usual “think first and then act”
philosophy by doing 3 things:

1) Extend your network so that you connect to, and learn from, a bigger range of stakeholders and influences.
Utilize and explore all the resources you already have available to you!

2) Become more reflective with your self-concept, allowing your familiar — and possibly outdated —
leadership style to evolve. Be Curious and open-minded.

3) Redefine and broaden your job to make more strategic contributions. Avoid the “not my job mentality”.

This snippet from the “Never Normal” that Peter Hinssen addresses in his books, YouTube videos and his
website begs the questions - Are we dying, surviving or thriving? Are we just robust, or are we resilient? Is
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National Sojourners stuck in the past, or are we truly embracing the future?

Sincerely and fraternally,

Mark W. Underwood
National Secretary-Treasurer

“Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity, not a threat” − Steve Jobs