Welcome to the 25th episode of the Testing Peers Podcast.

Join Russell, David and Chris as we discuss the unexpected.

After talking about unexpected or anti-climactic events in our lives, specifically food and movies, we look at how it applies to us in the workplace.

Whether it is a colleague leaving unexpectedly (or even if it isn't a surprise), or being blindsided by surprising appraisals, changes to project scope, or team dynamic shift - we all have to deal with the unexpected.

We share what we can do to prepare or mitigate, taking perspective and ensuring that we communicate and empathise.

The five stages of grief are brought up, and that is something that applies well.

Leaders have an obligation to communicate, empathise, and minimise the unexpected nature. Big things require the personal touch, we need to consider the optics of what has happened, as well as the feelings of the people. Treating people as individuals, trusting our guts, communicating.

We discuss what dealing with the unexpected events in life means to us, as we progress. Do we gain wisdom, do they shape us, help us to appreciate the better things?

No one is so brave that he is not disturbed by something unexpected.

Julius Caesar

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