We are now in week three of Covid-19 in the US, and from what I can see, many leaders are really running towards this crisis rather than away from it. They are aware, engaged, and looking for the best path forward in fulfilling their mission. But there is also an ever-growing abundance of webinars, blogs, articles, and podcasts, all offering advice. Here at The Center Consulting Group, we too have added to this abundance! While it is good to listen and learn, it is equally important to make sure you are asking yourself, your board, and your team the right questions. Here are 19 questions we believe you should be considering at this time. Don’t address them all at once. You are already on overload. Instead, reflect on and discuss one or two of these questions every few days.
Personal Questions
Am I seeking wise guidance from a limited number of voices including legal, financial, and organizational? (Too many voices will result in static and confusion.)
How do my core organizational values shape the decisions I am now considering?
How do I guard myself from the natural temptations of acting purely out of fear and self-preservation?
How am I showing support for those outside of my own organization including sharing best practice ideas, resources, and tangible assistance including goods and/or financial?
How am I taking care of my own emotional, spiritual, and physical health?
Staffing Questions
What am I or should I consider doing to care for the emotional, financial, spiritual, and physical health of my employees?
Do I know which positions are most critical for the present and future of my organization?
Do I know which staff I cannot afford to lose and do not want to lose?
Am I paying attention to governmental and local social service and faith-based programs that are available to help my employees?
Financial Questions
Do I have a clear understanding of my cash-flow, reserves, and line of credit that I have available at this time?
Am I aware of the governmental programs that are being offered to help organizations like mine?
How would I reduce expenses by 10%, 20%, or even 30% while not harming the mission-critical services or products we provide?
How do we affirm our mission even more clearly to be a positive solution through this crisis?
Organizational Questions
Am I focused on how this crisis can result in new opportunities for my organization?
How can this crisis result in new efficiencies for my organization?
Who are the key people, internally and externally, whose voices I need to hear and consider as we make adaptive changes?
Is the “tyranny of the moment” pulling me and others away from our mission and vision?
How am I planning for health and safety when employees and constituents eventually return to our workplace?
What is our plan for continuation of effective operations should this disruption last 30 days? 60 days? 90 days?
We hope this list addresses the most pressing questions you have. If there are any others you are considering, let us know using the button below. We would love your feedback so we can share it with others!
We can help you with managing your communication, planning next steps, and considering the possible financial and human implications related to this crisis. We are here for you! If you would like to speak with a consultant, contact us!
Jay Desko is the CEO of The Center Consulting Group and brings experience in the areas of organizational assessment, leadership coaching, decision-making, and strategic questioning. Jay’s degrees include an M.Ed. in Instructional Systems Design from Pennsylvania State University and a Ph.D. in Organizational Behavior and Leadership from The Union Institute.
