Reinvent to Stay Relevant

Reinvention requires vision and open-mindedness, but also a commitment to the key mission and the roots that keep it grounded. Photo by Impulse Photography

If the last six months have shown us anything, it’s that adaptability and reinvention are key skills to endure uncertainty. Being nimble, flexible, open-minded, proactive, and curious allow us to re-envision and, ultimately, reinvent ourselves.

I’m experiencing that firsthand today as my sons start the school year with two weeks of remote learning. It’s a brand-new world out there for students of all ages and locations. Teachers spent the summer educating themselves about online learning. They adapted lesson plans for use in remote and in-person models. They reinvented their entire profession. It’s really incredible when you think about the scope of that kind of change.

With reinvention comes obstacles. This morning, teachers were locked out of Zoom. Google Classroom links didn’t work. Computers didn’t function as expected. But teachers and kids adapted to make it work, and by the end of the day, it seemed like a pretty great start! They pushed forward and worked out the kinks. It’s not perfect, but the only way we can succeed is to keep adapting, proactively looking for the best answers.

If there’s one thing I pride myself on, it’s my adaptability. Every step of my career has made me more adept at changing to fit the circumstances or finding ways to change the circumstances to get the desired outcome. My colleagues have called me the “Queen of Reinvention,” a title I wear like a crown, especially when working in an industry that can be averse to change and making waves.

One thing about reinvention: It takes guts. It’s not easy to break away from the herd. It’s risky to invest money to evolve a brand into a new area that’s untested. There are always obstacles that stand in the way, be they internal or external, that require creative thinking to get around.

But along with embracing change and looking for new solutions, consistency plays a key role. In my editorial roles as well as at The Integer Group, I was immersed in the need for brand consistency—voice, language, logos, branding, and even legal requirements. Those roots are what keep the focus on the mission—in my case, the audience served by the brand.

Like many in 2020, I find myself in a phase of personal reinvention. My work history has armed me with skills, experience, and knowledge to go in a variety of directions, from horses to houses, barns to builders, arenas to agencies. I’m eager to add more jewels to my crown.