Pandemics, Paradigms, and Pachyderms (P3) is a timeless parable that can be used to promote alignment within and between teams formed to address a wide range of tasks. It has specific relevance for those who wish to address “pandemic preparedness”.

P3, in a 2-3 hour read, can highlight the key points where alignment of the team is absolutely critical prior to the development of a plan. P3 can also be used to realign a team or organization after the plan has been developed, to assure execution of the plan, and for situations where the plan may have fallen out of focus. It can also be used to test a preexisting plan to ensure there is sufficient alignment, engagement and awareness.

P3 can be read individually, or as a precursor to a structured team exercise to identify and ensure alignment on vital issues. Simply put, P3 is a preplanning aid. Within the context of the fable, our leader – Alexa – learns how to structure an unknown problem with unknown solutions into smaller known problems with known solutions that her team can address. She uses effective approaches to “change management” to ensure her team, and her herd, are aligned, engaged and aware. Alexa learns about the problems that can occur along the way, including the appearance of people who are not engaged, or who are engaged but are unknowingly misaligned. She also discovers that tragedy and misstep, while not always avoidable, can be accepted and must be dealt with by the leader so as not to jeopardize the determination and hope of the teams.

P3 was inspired by a problem I encountered while working as a consultant at an international company in the oil and gas sector. One of the company’s Vice President's wanted to address the “pandemic problem” and was soliciting proposals on available resources and methodologies. After evaluating the situation, he found it advisable to commission external consultants to assist in the development of a “pandemics plan”. 

As a consultant, I saw the solution as being much more than a well-conceived plan by the company’s brain trust; for these plans often sit on shelves gathering dust, waiting for a trigger event. Most organizations already have several plans of those kind. What I found most important was getting employees aligned, engaged and aware of a potential problem that was not yet visible. Only then would they be willing to take steps in the present to mitigate negative possibilities in the future. In particular, “at risk” employees need to be aware of the potential threat(s), understand the plan and be watchful for the triggers that would call the plan into action.

Some of the most important elements in the creation of this book were brought about by my 11-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son. They were deeply involved in the writing and editing process, and helped make the book accessible to a wider audience. We wanted to create something that could be used to teach young people non-numerical or people-problem solving (something that we do not address adequately in our schools, leaving children inadequately prepared for future challenges).

I hope you enjoy P3, and that it helps align and inspire your teams to be engaged in the pandemic planning process. With proper engagement, alignment and awareness I am confident you will be able to develop and maintain effective pandemic preparedness plans that will allow you to manage such a ubiquitous and serious threat.