Baby, It’s Cold Outside
Record-breaking cold has settled across Maryland and much of the country. Snow and ice remain longer than usual, sidewalks remain treacherous, and daily routines feel disrupted. Even the simplest pleasures, stepping outside for fresh air, walking the dog, or watching children play, suddenly require extra effort or are avoided altogether.
For me, the cold has meant fewer walks and fewer opportunities for our boxer to burn off her famous zoomies in the backyard. I have noticed fewer runners on the roads and fewer neighbors enjoying the outdoors. It feels as though many of us have retreated inside, waiting for warmer days to return.
Yet, the extended cold weather has given me an unexpected gift. It has heightened the need for resilience.
When circumstances push us indoors, we adapt. I have redirected my energy toward indoor activities that still nourish both body and mind. Workouts at the gym, baking, and cross-stitch have replaced outdoor walks. While these substitutions may not have been my first choice, they have reminded me that progress rarely stops; it simply changes form.
Businesses experience their own versions of cold weather. These moments may not involve snow or ice, but they can create the same feeling of interruption and uncertainty. A major project may be delayed, placing your team on the bench. A key employee may require an unexpected extended leave. A facility issue, such as an HVAC failure, can temporarily halt normal operations. Each of these scenarios can feel like a sudden drop in temperature, leaving leaders wondering how to maintain momentum.
Resilient organizations do not simply wait for conditions to improve. They pivot.
When a major project stalls, leaders can use that time to strengthen relationships. Encourage your team to reconnect with past clients. A simple outreach message asking, “How are things going? How can we support you?” often opens doors to new opportunities and reinforces existing partnerships.
When schedules lighten unexpectedly, consider reinvesting in your people. Leadership development, professional growth planning, and skill building are often pushed aside when business is busy. Delays can create valuable space for teams to revisit goals, strengthen capabilities, and prepare for future growth.
When a key employee steps away, resilience shows itself through collaboration. Teams that divide responsibilities, support one another, and maintain open communication often emerge stronger and more unified.
Even operational disruptions can reveal flexibility and creativity. When office systems fail, teams that transition to remote environments demonstrate agility, keeping work moving forward without sacrificing productivity or service.
Cold seasons, whether literal or metaphorical, test our adaptability. They challenge comfort zones and require adjustments. More importantly, they remind us that forward motion does not always look the same as it did before.
The true measure of resilience is not avoiding disruption. It is responding with creativity and collaboration.
As you reflect on your own organization, consider this question. What “cold weather” challenges are currently impacting your business, and how can you use this season to strengthen your team, deepen client relationships, and build long-term momentum?
Resilient leaders build resilient organizations. If this season has revealed challenges within your leadership team, in your professional development plans, or in your overall organizational strategy, this may be the ideal time to invest in intentional growth. I partner with leaders and teams to strengthen communication, build emotional intelligence, and create practical action plans that sustain progress during uncertain times. If this type of support would be valuable to you or your organization, I invite you to connect with me and start the conversation.