Introduction
As we examine the world around us, we must remember that the only way to predict the future is to create it.
The world is continuously changing whether we like it or not, and we ultimately have a choice to either take a proactive role in shaping our situation, or let the changing conditions dictate themselves to us, and be forced to deal with them reactively.
The foundational principle POPP means that in every situation the optimal approach is to be more prepared and proactive vs. reactive, to drive your offensive vision vs. defensively responding to others, and to focus on problem prevention.
Essentially instead of viewing ourselves as victims of cause and effect, it is always better to decide how you will cause an effect.
A few examples of applying the POPP principle vs. being reactive and defensive:
1 Perform a project pre-mortem, where ahead of starting a project you/the team proactively identifies the most critical and likely issues that could occur, and put in place preventive measures and decision-making criteria vs. waiting for issues to occur and then having to urgently and desperately react to them in real-time.
2 Proactively identify and build the skills and experience that are most valuable in your industry so that you are inevitably valuable and in-demand vs. hoping for a promotion or raise.
3 Pursue a Blue Ocean Strategy, individually or as an organization. Meaning instead of defensively fighting in crowded Red Oceans of competition, you offensively define a unique individual or corporate position, to create an entirely different market/value-offering.
4 By applying the previous Start with the Story principle, you can understand the story behind other people’s personalities and actions, and then be proactive and prepared by anticipating their fears, motivations, objections, etc. and acting accordingly.
5 Proactively anticipate when yourself or your significant other might be most stressed, tired, hungry, etc. and block that time to ensure that any disagreements during that block are tabled until a later defined time where you are both in the correct mindset to discuss and resolve.
Additional articles, case studies, maturity models, and tools coming soon.