Like many of the business leaders we speak with each day, we sometimes find ourselves overwhelmed by a multitude of varying, often conflicting perspectives on what the post-crisis, “new normal” will look like. What we have concluded is that there is only one thing for certain—we should prepare to be in an extended and uncomfortable period of uncertainty. So, what does this mean for our organizations, and for us as leaders?
Simply put, it means that we need to step back and objectively evaluate whether our organization’s current operating model is resilient enough to function in a sustained period where we must operate without complete information, factual models, or historical patterns of predictable behavior. Organizations with the ability to operate in an uncertain world won’t be immune to the challenges of today, but they will be better equipped to adapt to whatever our future holds.
From our research and experience with companies that survive ambiguous, difficult times, we have determined that organizations likely to successfully navigate challenging climates embody four essential operating model attributes that drive resilience:
So how do you test if your operating model is ready to equip your company for the new normal? Start by meeting with your leadership team to ask yourselves these fundamental questions:
Your answers to the questions above will help you clarify and focus on the specific opportunities to create resiliency in your organization during these uncertain times. We look forward to sharing practical tips in articles to follow that will help you answer these questions and embody the four attributes of a successful, durable operating model.
To learn more about Axiom Consulting Partners’ perspectives on resilient organizations, see the articles below:
What’s Next? How Safe, Smart, and Strong Leaders Can (Re)Build Agile and Resilient Organizations
5 Keys to Designing a Resilient Operating Model
Indispensable Growth: 5 Pillars of Customer Retention
Spans, Layers and Other Blunt Instruments: Why Structural Changes Don’t Improve Execution
Right Strategy, Wrong Operating Model = Poor Results
If you would like to discuss building organizational resiliency, let’s chat.