Quietly, many leaders are starting to think about what to do as they and their companies enter into a post pandemic time period. During recent executive coaching sessions on this subject, I have pointed out two key concepts as they explore this possibility.
First, there is a major difference between strategic time and operational time within a company. The former focuses on anything from 18 months in the future to three or more years down the road. The later focuses on this day, this week, this month or maybe at most this quarter.
What many leaders forget about the post pandemic period is that the capacity to plan has to be matched with the capacity to execute the plan. While there is great eagerness to get back to growing the business and serving more people plus making more money, we have to remember that executing too much change or setting too high exceptions related to individual or team performance post a major disruptive event like a global pandemic will only create more and new problems that result in a loss of confidence at the individual, team and company levels. The key at the operational and strategic levels of the company is to create a series of planned short term wins so all involved feel like they are making progress rather than just moving along a pathway to continued personal and professional exhaustion and burnout.
Second, once everyone who wants to get vaccinated is vaccinated, it does not mean we are back to doing business as usual. This global pandemic has changed so many business operating models. Furthermore, customers have learned new ways to interact with the company. Some of these new ways they like and others they have learned to tolerate. Same goes for employees. Therefore, we must plan on at least another 24 months of living and working in an adaptive period.
Still, it is the time to start thinking, discussing and preparing for a post pandemic world. We know 2021 and 2022 will be challenging and messy, but given all we experienced in 2020, we also know that we are stronger and more adaptable than we ever thought possible. So, hang in there and know that better days are ahead.
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