Photo by Jakob Owens on Unsplash
Well, we’re in it. It’s a new year, a new government, and a new level of readying for the unexpected. My last blog suggested some steps to get prepared. Now it’s here.
How can your organization stay steady as you ride waves you may not even see coming?
A critical and often under-utilized aspect of stability is finding a way track your progress and adjust as you go. Creating a regular cadence of checking in to review, see what you’ve learned, and modify as needed will support your team in making thoughtful choices amidst the churn.
Here’s a basic approach that you can modify to align with your current check-in structure. I recommend keeping it short and simple so that it is energizing rather than one more thing to do.
1. Review how things are going regularly
Many organizations are so busy doing things that they don’t take time to ask the question, “How well is this working?” You may be busier than ever now, but that’s all the more reason to make sure you’re busy with the right things. In times of rapid change, taking the time to do this review monthly can be very valuable.
2. Ask: Are we still on track?
In each meeting, identify 2-3 high-priority projects, and reflect on questions such as:
Why did we start doing this?
What’s working well?
What’s not going so well?
What key learnings or “aha’s” have we had?
3. Explore: What’s possible?
For each project, take a little time for the team to brainstorm ways that the work could be improved or even shifted entirely. Let the ideas flow freely. Encourage even wildly out-of-the-box ideas—that’s often where the most creative opportunities pop out.
4. Adjust the plan
Invite the team members in charge of each project to set the direction for the next time period, including any changes that emerged from the reflection and brainstorming. Be sure that expectations and deadlines are clear so that there is accountability.
For additional thoughts on the risks of choosing urgent action over reflection, see this post from The Ready. To learn how Entrellis can help you design effective structures to support teams, see our website or contact us for a free 30-minute consultation.