Embracing the unexpected as we close out the year

“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” Dr Wayne Dyer

As we step into December, our snippet of inspiration for the month, “Unexpected encounters can alter your course”, offers a reminder of something many feel but rarely name: the quiet unease that comes with the unknown. It’s human to crave clarity and predictability. Familiar paths feel safer when they’re marked, mapped, and manageable. Yet, as the year draws to a close, we’re exploring a different perspective; one where the unfamiliar isn’t a disruption, but an open door.

At The Juniper Co., we value planning, structure, and thoughtful preparation. These pillars help us work with confidence. Planning provides direction. Structure creates stability. Clarity reduces friction. In organisational life, where time is precious and expectations are high, these ingredients are vital.

But sitting alongside them is something equally important: the openness to embrace what we didn’t plan for. Often, the moments that alter our course aren’t the ones meticulously scheduled in our calendars and Asana boards. They’re the subtle interruptions that arrive unannounced.

The power of an unexpected encounter

We’ve all experienced it - the chance conversation over coffee that unearths a new idea, the unexpected question in a meeting that sparks fresh thinking, the colleague who stops by our desk with a passing comment that reframes a challenge entirely. Sometimes it’s even quieter: a pause, or a pattern you suddenly notice.

Picture this: you’re in the middle of a focused planning session, working through next year’s priorities. The agenda is full, time is tight, and everyone is trying to stay on track. Then, during a brief pause, someone casually mentions an idea sparked by something on their morning walk - a podcast snippet perhaps, or an interesting LinkedIn article they read. It’s not part of the plan, and it’s not something anyone was expecting to explore. Yet what would happen if you began to pull on that thread?

The team leans in, curiosity piqued. A few questions are asked, and a connection is made. Within minutes, a fresh angle emerges. A new approach to an upcoming project, a more engaging way to bring people together, or a creative twist no one had yet considered. The energy begins to shift. A small, unplanned insight becomes the seed of something meaningful.

Creating space for the unscripted

Unplanned moments like these can be powerful catalysts. When we meet them with curiosity rather than resistance, they can:

• Spark new understanding by revealing ideas we hadn’t considered

• Build connection by allowing space for honest, spontaneous conversation

• Plant the seeds of creativity by nudging us away from autopilot thinking

• Shift culture by reinforcing that openness and reflection are valued.

Embracing the unexpected doesn’t mean abandoning structure. It simply means leaving a little room to pause, listen, and notice what might otherwise be missed.

With 2026 on the horizon, we find ourselves deep in planning mode. Mapping priorities and preparing for what’s next. Amid this forward momentum, we’re reminding ourselves to stay open to spotting the creative sparks that live outside of a strategy document.

Stepping even slightly off the familiar path, just enough to look again, listen differently, and ask curious questions, can open possibilities we didn’t even know we were looking for.