Can you handle your own “Katrina?”

October 7th, 2005

The world is moved not only by the mighty shoves of heroes, but also by the aggregate of the tiny pushes of each honest worker. Helen Keller

The air waves are filled with criticism and hind-sight in relation to Katrina─the recent tragedy burned in hearts and minds around the globe. I think the real question is how would we (our organization) handle our own Katrina?

Are your people, systems, and processes strong enough to bear the “perfect storm?” Does your leadership factor in the worst case scenarios in addition to the best case scenarios? Is your organization transparent enough so that each part knows the relevance of other parts and how they depend on each other? Would they pull together or apart in a time of crisis?

These and other questions are essential for organizational leaders today. And the answers lie in engaging the entire organization in becoming adaptable to a changing environment─whether it be a slow evolution or one with the speed and power of Katrina. The workforce today is not merely about machines, brawn, or even brain. Successful organizations also engage the heart elements like creativity, passion, commitment, and loyalty. Leadership cannot survive without these elements.

Ah, there is the rub. It is far easier to tell than to ask; to deal with small numbers of executives than with the masses of workers and other stakeholders. The organizations that can successfully work in the new equation are the ones that will survive the storms.

To learn more about how your organization can become more adaptable, see ENGAGE! Roadmap for Workforce-Driven Change in a Warp-Speed World.

Entry Filed under: Insights on OC