We Wait Until the Ground Freezes
Turning Tides: From Struggles to Strategic Opportunities
In stable and economically prosperous times, we often build groups based on somewhat superficial communication. Collaboration and cooperation are essential, and this is where group dynamics become the strongest. Interestingly, it's not always direct skills that determine the distribution of power within these groups. Instead, it’s often the ability to project confidence and openness that draws more attention and significance in the work environment. Some individuals, on the other hand, choose a more resilient and inconspicuous path, maintaining a low profile to avoid higher expectations or increased responsibilities. There are countless shades of gray between these extremes.
When these groups are companies, and the circumstances shift to a more challenging economic period, the dynamics change. Companies need to become highly efficient or adjust by either hiring more skilled resources or letting go of those who add little value. Often, both happen simultaneously. The least productive members or those perceived as a risk to stability are usually the first to be let go.
When facing a tough situation or when the tension between fight and flight is high, we can choose to "fly forward" and confront the challenge head-on. This typically happens when there are limited options, but we’re still compelled to act due to a specific reason. If freezing is an option, it might serve as a temporary solution until remaining still becomes impossible. At that point, we need to take a decisive step toward the impending threat or danger. Interestingly, when we finally make that move, it often seems like the most obvious thing to do. With the right confidence, what initially appeared as risky becomes far less daunting.
When there’s a lot at stake and freezing is no longer viable, taking that bold step forward often turns out to be the wisest choice.
Once upon a time, I was driving a car through the vast Romanian landscape along the Danube River, heading toward Constanța. It was winter, but the days were unusually warm, and the light rain falling on the thin layer of snow was making the ground on the flat fields beside the road muddy and slippery. I had to make a quick stop and turned the car to a halt, but ended up a meter or two too far off the road. Suddenly, the car got stuck in thick mud. Up until that point, the mud had been hidden beneath the melting snow, making it hard to see.
With no road service available like in Germany, I was left to find a way to pull the car back onto the road. The struggle was exhausting, especially since I didn’t have any tools or equipment to help. After an hour of trying, I had to admit to myself that the situation was quite unpleasant.
I had certainly faced worse situations in life. But this one puzzled me because I never took such roads without proper equipment. Yet, life has a way of throwing unexpected lessons your way. It was only a couple of days before New Year’s Eve, and a sense of desperation started to creep in. Normally, I’m the one to handle complicated or dangerous situations, but this time, I noticed the concerned expression on my girlfriend’s face. She was deeply immersed in her physics studies, always thinking analytically.
After a moment, I asked her if she had any ideas. She looked at me calmly and said, “We can just wait until night. The ground will freeze, and then we can simply drive the car out. Until then, we can stay inside, enjoy some music, and eat our sandwiches.”
Her words struck me. This was exactly what I usually do—pull myself out of a stressful situation, assess it calmly, and suddenly see new options.
In the economy, those of us who took the greatest risks—like freelancers and senior management—are now left exposed to those within companies who mostly kept a low profile. In challenging and turbulent times, these individuals often find themselves in safer, more stable positions. Perhaps there is a quiet sense of revenge, an attempt to reconcile a guilty conscience for having relied on the efforts of those who took the risks during prosperous times. Just maybe.
But after reading the numerous comments and subtle calls for help from skilled and experienced professionals, I’m coming to a conclusion: we have stayed in one place for too long, waiting for circumstances to improve. We can’t keep hoping that the night will come and the ground will freeze; we need to push forward. There’s no retreat now, as our path back is blocked by major events like the energy crisis, political turmoil, widespread fears, and those who capitalize on these fears. A generation that dismisses others simply because they are in need or have reached a certain age only adds to the complexity of this situation.
In the near future, I will outline several options and make a call to action. If no company is willing to take us, we will create one ourselves. By combining efforts between North America, Israel, and Germany, we can pool our skills and resources. My vision is inspired by a former colleague who successfully started a system based on ‘points’ earned for contributions, which were later converted into financial rewards or positions. The formal structure needs to be developed, and I’ll share more details on my homepage soon, including a link here.
In the meantime, if you’re a specialist or expert in marketing, recruitment, development, or management, and feel that your age might be a factor in frequent rejections or project cancellations, consider reaching out to me. We can connect via Zoom, Skype, Google Meet, MS Teams, Telegram, phone, or email. But first, let’s connect here on LinkedIn and continue exploring opportunities while keeping a fresh breeze in our sails with new ideas and creative solutions.
