A cold, windy day. A walk on the beach with Lilly. And a reflection on how we handle life’s unexpected turns. In this post, I share a real moment and a simple framework to help you lead with clarity—especially when things don’t go as planned.
This photo was taken on a cold, windy day at the beach. The waves were rough, the air brisk, the skies gray. And like most people walking a beach with their dog, I smiled.
The conditions weren’t ideal, but it was still beautiful. I was with Lilly, taking in the moment—present, calm, and grateful.
That’s what it means to navigate vicissitudes in everyday life—not just as metaphor or theory, but in real, lived moments. The weather that day was out of my control—uncomfortable, unpredictable. But how I showed up came from within: calm, intentional, and grounded. That’s what I call leading from the Inside-Out (IO)—responding with purpose, even when life presses in from the Outside-In (OI).
This is the essence of the IOU Framework: not waiting for calm seas, but bringing a calm mindset. Not demanding sunshine, but choosing how we see and respond in the storm.
The waves were rough, but I held the wheel. That’s the practice. That’s the power.
We all encounter them—the sudden gusts of wind that shift our sails, the hidden currents beneath the surface, the unexpected storms on what was once calm water. These moments have a name: vicissitudes. It’s pronounced: vih-SISS-ih-toods or vih-SISS-ih-tyoods
The word may sound poetic, even antiquated, but its meaning is timeless.
Vicissitudes are the ups and downs, the changes and challenges that come with life and leadership. And make no mistake—they’re inevitable.
As leaders in life, we don’t get to choose whether we face vicissitudes. We only get to choose how we respond.
That’s where the IOU Framework comes in—especially the essential distinction between IO (Inside-Out) and OI (Outside-In) living.
A Leadership Compass for Life’s Vicissitudes
IO (Inside-Out) Living is when we lead with intention and alignment. It’s built on a strong foundation of inward beliefs (your “I”) and outward behaviors (your “O”) that reflect those beliefs. In IO living, you’re the captain of your ship, steering with clarity.
But life doesn’t always allow for smooth sailing.
That’s when OI (Outside-In) events crash into us—unexpected setbacks, criticism, circumstances beyond our control. These are Outside-In forces pressing on us.
We don’t control the OI. But we always control our I. Let’s repeat: We don’t control the OI. But we always control our I.
The most important thing we lead is ourselves, especially in the face of the things we can’t control. And vicissitudes—those unexpected changes—are often OI moments. They press on us. They surprise us. They challenge us. But they also reveal us.
But real leadership—the kind that’s sustainable, fulfilling, and impactful—starts from the inside out. It’s not about doing more; it’s about leading with intention.
The “I” in IOU stands for Inward Living—your SelfCulture, your beliefs, your mindset, your values.
When an OI event hits, your response is determined by how well you’ve developed your “I.”
“I do not control the waves, but I do control how I steer through them.”
Leaders grounded in a strong “I” don’t panic when circumstances change. They reflect. Re-center. Then respond. Intentionally.
Your I-Statement becomes your anchor in the storm—a declaration of who you are and how you lead, even when the outside world throws chaos your way.
Your “O” is your outward leadership—your actions, words, and choices. IO living demands that your actions match your inward values, even when the pressure is high.
During vicissitudes, OI forces try to throw us off course. But IO leaders don’t let the outside dictate their actions. Instead, they filter OI pressure through their inward compass and choose their “O” with clarity and integrity.
True leadership is when your outward actions reflect your inward principles—even in the storm. This consistency builds trust. Not just from others—but trust in yourself.
When your “I” and “O” stay aligned—even in adversity—you unlock Upward Living, the natural result of an IO life. That’s where PH2E lives:
Your Life Propeller—made up of these four blades—keeps you moving forward. But if one blade is thrown off by OI reaction, the whole system wobbles.
Leading through vicissitudes is how your Propeller gets tested—and how it gets stronger.
What makes vicissitudes such a powerful word?
Because it names what every leader feels but rarely articulates. It describes the fluctuating nature of life—the unexpected changes that test our resilience, clarity, and purpose.
It also reminds us: this is normal. Life will shift.
Your power lies in how you respond—not in preventing the waves, but in navigating them.
Vicissitudes comes from the Latin word vicis, which means “a turn” or “a change. It’s the same root idea behind a captain’s wheel, a shifting tide, or a turning season.
The full Latin word—vicissitudo—meant “the state of change.”
So, when we say vicissitudes, we’re really saying: “These are the natural turns of life. The changes we were made to lead through.”
This insight fits perfectly into an IO leader’s mindset:
Visual: A steady ship navigating through moderate waves under a cloudy sky. The wheel is glowing, the lighthouse in view.
The word vicissitudes—meaning the variations and unexpected changes in life—can sometimes feel abstract or hard to connect with. That’s where a simple, nautical mnemonic can help make it stick.
Imagine this: You’re sailing forward and suddenly the S.E.A. rises around you. These are the moments of change and challenge that we all face—what we call vicissitudes.
S.E.A. =
The S.E.A. represents OI events—things we don’t control: storms of stress, unexpected shifts, or crashing waves of outside pressure. But as IO leaders, we don’t react to the sea. We steer through it.
We remember who we are.
We check our compass.
We hold the wheel.
When the S.E.A. rises, stay steady. You’ve trained for this. You lead from the Inside-Out.
Vicissitudes are the shifting winds of leadership. You don’t command the sea, but you do command the wheel.
A great leader doesn’t hope for smooth waters—they prepare for rough ones by strengthening their inward compass and aligning their outward sails.
Every vicissitude is an invitation:
If you’re facing a challenge right now—an OI event that feels overwhelming, unpredictable, or unfair—remember this:
You are not defined by the vicissitude. You are defined by how you navigate it.
Let the IOU Framework be your compass. Lead from the Inside-Out, not the Outside-In.
Because while the waves may be out of your control, your course never is.
Keep leading. Keep steering. The lighthouse is ahead.
Learn more and how to embed the Life Anchors into your life, and the lives of your family, your team, and/or your organization and receive Upward Living and more PH2E!
