Welcome to Business as UNusual!
We are now into week 4 of a new and unforeseen reality that has impacted us all globally. I believe we are actually experiencing a defining moment in time where businesses will need to differentiate themselves and their offerings in pre/post COVID era language. FYI - Digital Transformation just happened to us! I wanted to take the opportunity to reach out to you as leaders with the intent to inspire, support and perhaps encourage those of you who have been putting in long days to lead the troops into unknown areas that are unfamiliar to everyone, including yourselves.
Here are 3 things that I have been thinking about which I hope activates your thinking as a leader:
1. What makes the difference between pivoting and chaotic response?
2. How can you create meaningful connection during isolation?
3. What does business as "unusual" look like for our organization going forward?
Pondering Question 1:
Much like crisis doesn't shape a leader, it reveals who they are, grounding an organization in who they are during turbulent times will enable it to sustain and thrive during times of adversity and rapid change. Question for you as a leader: Do you know what your organization is all about? Who are you? Why do you exist? What are your strengths? Are you reminding your employees about that? Why? Why not?
Pondering Question 2:
Connection IS possible - making it meaningful is the challenge. What do you want your employees and customers to remember about you 1 year from now? Are you checking into the human side of your employees - their realities, their fears, their challenges? Are you taking care of yourself so you can take care of others? Are you showing up authentically to your teams with a "you got this - I got you - we got this" message because we are all in this together. People may not remember what you accomplished as a business during this time, but they will remember how you made them feel.
Pondering Question 3:
I don't think it's a stretch to say, this tsunami of COVID-19 will have more than one wave to it. Ongoing business adjustments are required. Welcome to change being done TO you not WITH you :) Now you know how employees and customers feel about that! Do you think you will actually return to "business as usual" after this? I respectfully suggest not. The genie of change has been let out of the bottle, and, as history will attest, it will not be put back in. Here's another way to look at it, much like a car journey, your business has not just popped off the highway to get gas and then re-enter back onto the same highway to continue the trip. Your business has actually EXITED the highway you were on and is now seeking an ON-RAMP to a new highway leading in a new direction. Without a roadmap - yet. Here's the good news, business as "UNusual" is full of opportunity. New ways of doing business. New ways of delivering services. New ways of expanding your offerings. Have you taken the time to think about what your business of the future could look like? As this COVID era lingers ... PLEASE do not consider going back to business as usual - change your language to embrace the possibilities (and gift) given to you to do business as UNusual. What will be your post COVID-19 era story? Start living it now.
As always, I am happy to engage with you if you need a neutral sounding board as you hammer out these ideas.
Final thoughts: Embrace the uncertainty as a gift. Take the time to care for yourselves so you can care for others. Be the leader you wish you had during this time. Start writing your post COVID story today. You got this - I got you - We got this :)
Wishing you all the best as you navigate these changes and challenges. I'm here for you if needed.