The Big Question

We were gathered in a very large conference room to start strategic planning for the next 3 years. The people in the room were appropriately spaced. Others could be seen on a massive screen from different locations around the country. The room had numerous mics so all could be heard and there was a screen just for sharing related documents.

As the process began, there was active engagement and dialogue by all involved. At times, I  felt like a traffic cop facilitating a rush hour discussion. Subjects and issues were popping up all over the place.

Finally, the CEO paused the discussion and said, “What is the problem or problems we are trying to solve here?” 

There was total silence as everyone paused to reflect. I just smiled because it was one of the best questions I had heard in 2021.

From my vantage point, the main strategic question for the next 3 years is a simple but very challenging one: How do we recover from a global pandemic? When we can answer this question, we can chart a path to the future.

To begin finding the answer, we have to understand that there are 3 stages of recovery when facing adversity. According to Judith Herman, a psychiatrist and a professor of clinical psychiatry at the Harvard University Medical School, the 3 stages of recovery are: 

- Safety and Stabilization

- Remembrance and Mourning

- Reconnection and Integration

This week, pause and reflect on the above question. Then, figure out where you and your organization is within the 3 stages. It is time to think deeply and holistically before we plan for the future.

Geery Howe, M.A. Consultant, Executive Coach, Trainer in Leadership, Strategic Planning and Organizational Change Morning Star Associates 319 - 643 - 2257

The Miracles That Make Life Meaningful

“Remember “garbage in, garbage out”, writes Austin Kleon in his book, Steal Like an Artist: 10 things Nobody Told You About Being Creative (Workman Publishing Company, Inc., 2012). “You’re only going to be as good as the people you surround yourself with.”

I think we get so busy these days that we forget these two important truths about life. First, if we consume a diet of limited or incomplete information, we create a world view that is limited and incomplete. Instead, we need to read, listen and learn from a diversity of information sources so we are constantly expanding our depth of understanding and clarity.

Second, we need to continue to expand the circle of people who surround us. New friends, new colleagues and new teachers and mentors help us to have a more holistic world view and understanding.

And finally, we need to remember the words of Edward Tufte as we head further and further into this fall: “I have stared long enough at the glowing flat rectangles of computer screens. Let us give more time for doing things in the real world . . . plant a plant, walk the dogs, read a real book, go to the opera.” 

I have yet to meet someone during the later stages of their career or their life who has talked to me about trying to get more e-mail done or finish up a couple of more reports. Most of the time, these important conversations focus on people, lessons learned, and new adventures to be taken.

This week, step away from the glowing flat computer screens at work, and go outside. Marvel at the changes of the season. Celebrate the gift of being alive. Connect with those you love. Count the blessings in your life. These are the miracles that make life meaningful.

Geery Howe, M.A. Consultant, Executive Coach, Trainer in Leadership, Strategic Planning and Organizational Change Morning Star Associates 319 - 643 - 2257

Choose Your Destiny

“For individuals, character is destiny. For organizations, culture is destiny”, writes the late Tony Hsieh in his book, Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose (Business Plus, 2010). As he continues, “Over time, as we focused more and more on our culture, we ultimately came to the realization that a company’s culture and a company’s brand are really two sides of the same coin. The brand is just a lagging indicator of a company’s culture.”

We don’t read or write much about character and destiny these days. It seems like these terms are from long ago. Nevertheless, they still matter and they are still important. 

When we choose to hire someone for a position, we always want to know more about their character, not just their skill sets. Who they are is more important that what they can do. The necessary skills for a position will change over time but character transcends all.

The same goes with organizational culture, which is nothing more than the sum of agreed to behavioral norms. When a healthy culture is the constant through organizational change, people make appropriate choices and rise to their individual and collective challenges.

So, my two, big questions to you this week are direct and simple:

- What are you doing to improve your character?

- What are you doing to improve your organization’s culture?

Your destiny reflects your choices. Choose wisely. 

Geery Howe, M.A. Consultant, Executive Coach, Trainer in Leadership, Strategic Planning and Organizational Change Morning Star Associates 319 - 643 - 2257

Answer The Big Questions

“All organizing efforts begin with an intent, a belief that something more is possible now that the group is together,” writes Margaret Wheatley in her book, Finding Our Way: Leadership for an Uncertain Time. (Berrett-Koehler, 2005). As she explains, this intent is connected to identity, information, and relationships. She writes that “communities are webs of relationships”. 

With the global pandemic being so dynamic, we understand now that our world is interconnected on so many different levels. For example, my health and your health are connected. My choices and your choices impact our ability to choose and/or respond to the challenges before us.

When we grasp the magnitude of this perspective and reflect on all that has transpired during the last eighteen months, then we need to sit down and answer two big questions which comes from the aforementioned book by Margaret Wheatley:

- Who are we?

- What matters?

While our answers may change over time, the questions remain before us. No matter our age, we must at some point in life address these two questions. This may be difficult but it is still important.

This week, I encourage you to carve out some time and write out an answer to each question. The effort and the process are worth the time and the energy.  

Geery Howe, M.A. Consultant, Executive Coach, Trainer in Leadership, Strategic Planning and Organizational Change Morning Star Associates 319 - 643 - 2257