The Impasse Is the Path

When you hit an obstacle that's out of your control, be transparent with your team and your customers. You may improve your business in ways that have nothing to do with the problem at hand.

- By Adam Bornstein. Illustration by Federico Gastaldi

Q I can't deliver for my customers, but it's not my fault! What now? -LISA, MISSOULA, MT

PLANS AND STRATEGY are great... when they work.

But if the past two years have taught us anything, it's that plans are made to be disrupted. Running a business in unpredictable times can feel debilitating. Any problems outside of your control, like supply-chain issues, are extremely frustrating. But businesses that survive and thrive know that a customer's frustration is both a stressor and an opportunity.

In his best-selling book, The Obstacle Is the Way, author Ryan Holiday shares how stoic philosophy teaches, “What stands in the way becomes the way. For you, this means reframing unfortunate circumstances as a way to improve your business.