Leading with Intention and Action in the time of Covid-19

As our team has made our own journey from March into April (and from reaction to intention), we've had literally dozens of opportunities to be in virtual rooms with more than 500 people discussing federal stimulus packages, short-term strategic pivots and long-term planning, leadership, employee engagement, stress, favorite recipes, and more. We're finding that we're paying a lot of attention to the organizations who are in motion. 

The truth is that we're all moving through this experience a little differently. There is no right way to respond to the trifecta impact of a global pandemic, a global recession, and orders to socially distance from friends, family and coworkers for weeks on end.

Our growing sense is that organizations who are engaging with this complicated moment with equal parts intention and action may be positioning themselves to emerge from this period of immense change with increased resilience, clarity and purpose.

Acting with intention involves centering around your organization's Mission and Values; getting clear on the needs of your employees, and your clients, customers, and other stakeholders; and building a near-term plan that allows you to act in service to your organization's purpose.

Engaging with action is to make visible a pathway forward, and then to move your organization, as best you're able, through this social and economic disruption. Whether circumstances demand your organization drops anchor, throttles down, or accelerates, part of your job as leader is to act, and inspire your people to act, in ways that bring confidence, compassion, and a firm focus on your mission to the forefront.

If the path we're all on right now is a bridge to what is next, we know at least two things to be true -- we're going to lose the horizon once or twice along the way, and the destination will be more clear as we move forward.

As you move forward, let us know how you're doing -- and how we can help. You can grab time on my calendar this month if you want to catch up, talk through challenges, or explore possibilities. If you're looking for facilitation support (to create order and traction in those endless Zoom meetings); ways to help your remote teams engage, connect and grow; or strategic clarity for the immediate challenges or the what comes next, let's talk.

Until we reconnect, stay well and stay centered.