Pivot: Navigating Change in Times of Uncertainty

WEEKLY DEVOTIONAL BY PATRICE TSAGUE

Are you facing uncertainty in your business or life? 
Do you need to consider a pivot? 
What does it really mean to pivot?

Pivot: Navigating Change in Times of Uncertainty

The word “pivot” was introduced and made popular in the entrepreneurship world by Eric Ries and Steve Blank in the best-selling book called “The Lean Startup”. Forbes defines a pivot as “fundamentally changing the direction of a business when you realize the current products or services aren’t meeting the needs of the market”.

This word is often used to suggest that something did not work out as originally planned, and therefore, an adjustment had to be made to prevent failure. You could define a pivot as a redirection, or a turning point, to ensure ultimate success. While pivoting typically increases the chances of success, it can sometimes be seen as settling for a less-than-ideal option. In other words, if the ideal plan fails, we may choose to pivot to an alternative that may prevent failure, but wouldn’t have been chosen under more favorable circumstances.

But – what if pivoting isn’t just about preventing the failure of what seemed to be the ideal path, but actually about discovering the true ideal path? There are surely times when pivoting is actually God’s way to redirect us, not into something less favorable, but into the centre of His favor. Whether it seems like it or not at the time, pivoting can be God’s way of redirecting us towards His ultimate will for our lives.

Biblically, we see many individuals who encountered pivotal moments that required significant adjustments in their lives. These pivotal changes not only benefited them but also had a profound impact on others. They allowed themselves to be guided by the Lord, making decisions that, in the natural, may have seemed unusual at best, or perhaps challenging to the point of impossibility at worst.

Moses, after his encounter with God through the burning bush, left aside 40 years of tending sheep to become the redemptive leader who brought the Israelites out of captivity and to the doorstep of the Promised Land (Exodus 3:1-5).

After losing her husband and her two sons, Naomi’s life changed completely. Through her pivotal return to Jerusalem, her daughter-in-law Ruth married Boaz, and from their descendants, Jesus Christ was born (Ruth 4:13-22).

Mary and Joseph certainly experienced a radical pivot point after the angelic visitations heralding the role that they would fulfil in bringing Jesus Christ into the world (Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38).

Saul of Tarsus, on the road to Damascus and on his way to persecute more Christians, had a face-to-face encounter with Jesus. This pivotal encounter transformed him completely, and he became the apostle Paul, instrumental in the formation of the Christian church, and one of the most effective followers of Jesus of all time (Acts 9:1-16).

The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” If we are walking in the center of God’s will, pivotal change will work in our favor. As the Scripture says, “all things” – including change- will work out for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose. 

A willingness to change improves our chances of success and the probability of discovering God’s ultimate will, and you may encounter God Himself in the midst of the change.

How do you pivot in a way that leads to a greater discovery of God’s ultimate will?  

• Prayerfully review your mission and vision.
• Consider carefully why you feel the need to pivot.
• Make a list of Scriptures that support your need to pivot.
• Compare the potential success against the negative impacts of not pivoting.
• Examine the financial and non-financial benefits of this new direction.
• Review your SWOT analysis to ensure that it supports your pivot.
• Develop an action plan for the new direction.

As you consider these steps, ensure that all of your stakeholders are engaged in the process.
A pivot strategy that is done in isolation can lead to confusion and may destabilize the organization, whereas a pivot strategy that is done in cooperation with your team has the potential to unify and re-energize your team towards a greater fulfillment of your mission and vision.  

My prayer for you today is that the next time you are considering a pivot, you will see it as a gift from God to discover His ultimate purpose for your life and organization.