The reopening of our economy is a “when” situation rather than an “if” situation. Many experts agree that when the economy does reopen, leaders and their organizations must prepare to pivot into a “yet to be defined, reshaped future state”. As one researcher recently stated, “. . . Given the tragic nature of today’s crisis and its aftermath, leaders must embrace both a grave duty to respond and an unprecedented opportunity to transform. . . They’ll use this opportunity to reflect deeply on the implications of the reshaped world and what their business stands for and aspires to going forward. They’ll reconnect with their deepest values and beliefs, rethink how they’ve operated historically and re-imagine a better and more sustainable path forward.”
As you discern how you and your organization will pivot, reflect on these critical questions:
What do you envision your new future state will be – business as usual, a mere shell of its’ former self, or something new and improved?
How are you preparing your people and organization to move beyond this crisis? What business practices that you implemented during the crisis will you continue? Which will you disband?
What changes will you make in your business operations to ensure a greater sense of readiness for future or recurring disruptions?
What have you learned about yourself as a leader? What behaviors will you continue to demonstrate post-crisis? What behaviors will you stop doing post-crisis?
What have you learned about the team you have surrounding you? Have any “emergent” leaders surfaced during this period of crisis response? How will you leverage their leadership and influence in your new future state?
What have you learned about the resiliency of your organization? How will you leverage this resiliency as you pivot into what you anticipate will be the reshaped future state within your industry?
What actions are you taking today to mitigate any further risks to your business and renew acceleration of the future value of your organization?
Answering these questions, developing a plan and engaging your employees in the effective execution of that plan will determine where you come out on the other side of this crisis - having regressed, remained the same or having transformed into an even more resilient, purposeful, “valuable” and sustainable organization.
