2020 was not the year of the Rat, it was the year of Murphy

Normally, I’d have a couple more blog posts lined up before the year wraps. The calendar’s always full, but after an exhilarating and challenging year, taking a pause for some well-earned rest feels not just proper, but necessary.

Calling this year “interesting” doesn’t do it justice. If 2020 was supposed to be the Year of the Rat, it felt more like the Year of Murphy—because if anything could go wrong, it usually did. At times, it seemed like The Onion was scripting reality. However, in the chaos, something powerful occurred: organizations everywhere were compelled to evolve rapidly.

By definition, evolution is “any process of formation or growth; development”—think of how languages or technology transform over time (source). In 2020, organizations didn’t just evolve—they hit the accelerator. The more agile the organization, the smoother the pivot. Whether it was shifting entire teams to remote work overnight or completely reimagining how to deliver products and services, agility became the difference between treading water and finding new paths forward.

At Berriault & Associates, we partnered with our clients to not just survive, but build a foundation for a stronger 2021. Here’s how we did it:

1. We Didn’t Panic
When uncertainty was everywhere, we leaned into our agile values. Staying calm meant making clear-headed decisions—avoiding the knee-jerk reactions that can lead to bigger issues down the road.

2. We Balanced Tactical and Strategic Thinking
It wasn’t just about putting out fires. We tackled immediate risks with practical solutions, while always keeping an eye on future opportunities. This dual focus enabled us to adapt in the moment and set our clients up for long-term success.

3. We Focused on Being Agile, Not Just Doing Agile
Agility isn’t a checklist—it’s a mindset and a set of behaviours. We helped our clients embrace agility at every level, encouraging open problem-solving, honest conversations, and a willingness to try new approaches. That steady, behaviour-first approach empowered teams to meet challenges head-on and find solutions that truly fit their needs.

The pace of change isn’t slowing down. If anything, it’s accelerating. Organizations that nurture a strong, agile foundation will be best equipped to continue evolving, regardless of what the next year brings.

Are you ready to build on this year’s lessons and set your team up for lasting growth?

Let’s talk. Schedule your Breakthrough Call today at jberriault@berriaultandassociates.com, and let’s start planning your evolution for the year ahead.