Acknowledging What We're Going Through, How We're Impacted, and How We Can Best Lead In This Moment
Particularly in times of change, “learning organizations” create space for conversation. They take a candid look at the current climate in their companies. While recognizing that people experience change in dramatically different ways, they also work intentionally to create alignment and harmony. They also take care to define a clear picture of the desired future they are seeking to achieve…providing people a chance to see themselves in it.
This is the first in a three-card series that focuses on the current climate and new challenges leaders are facing. It provides questions and context that allows for some self-facilitated group conversation. It can take place in a few minutes over a cup of coffee or a few hours in a virtual happy hour. It can work for a small group trying to lead a community organization or an executive team trying to compete in a disrupted environment.
It’s all about what’s really going on for people, teams, and organizations during times of change, transition, and transformation. No need to solve. No need to react. At its best, this conversation gives people a chance to express themselves, listen to each other, and learn.
This first conversation is really about checking in on where people are right now, in the moment. Every individual will be affected very differently – some have direct impacts to families or friends; some have been nose-to-the-grindstone while responding to a long list of urgencies; and some are just trying to stay above water amidst a lot of uncertainty.
While this type of conversation is helpful as a first step in the process, these questions are great to continue to ask. Over the coming months there will be a lot of firsts and a lot of new decision points. Consistent pulse-checking will help to keep teams and organizations moving.
Part 1: Acknowledging What We're Going Through
This article is the first of a three-part series of critical conversations to support leaders in bringing people together and having the conversations that will help move their organizations forward. Part 2 focuses on “Bringing People Back” and figuring out what we can learn from this experience. Part 3, “Getting Back on Track” focuses on the path forward and the new realities teams and organizations might be facing.
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