Musings on a Monday Morning from Mike Mullin…
The weekly Newsletter of Without A Vision Consultancy LLC
Want this in your inbox? Subscribe to the newsletter.
May 4, 2020 – The Sun is Shining
Day #54 of the COVIDs here in Central Minnesota.
Good morning! May the Fourth be with you! How are the COVIDs treating you? I care… let me know. Lilies of the Valley are up!Later this week we’ll enjoy another Whole Super Moon, as they’ve come to be called. Of course, if it’s cloudy…Since Mothers’ Day will be in the rear view mirror by this time next week: Happy Mothers’ Day!
- While the Blue Jays feverishly build their nests the Robins endlessly search for worms.
- Last Tuesday a gentle 5/8″ of spring rain fell softly in our yard, nearly every drop seeping into the thirsty soil. We need more.
- I’m about ready to enjoy rhubarb as a dietary staple for a few days; so tasty.
- In what might be good news, preliminary data from Georgia, South Carolina, and Oklahoma seem to show people are venturing out gradually and carefully.
- Charles Darwin is often misrepresented as having taught us survival of the fittest.
- More accurately he taught us about adaptation. Those who survive are those best able to adapt.
- Does Sweden have the answer?
- The country is spreading chicken manure in its parks as a deterrent to gathering in large groups; works for me.
- A thin coating? A heavy coating? I suppose it would depend upon the recalcitrant nature of the gatherers.
- Have you ever canoed (or sailed) across a big lake in the middle of a storm? The storm probably caught you off-guard because who would purposely tackle a challenge better accomplished in calm waters and bright sunshine? The thing is, you can make it safely across the lake, even if surprised by a storm, IF you stay calm and know what you’re doing.
- Stay calm. The quickest way to get into big trouble is to panic.
- Size up the situation. Take a moment to look around. What are your resources? Who are your key people? What are the immediate threats? What is essential?
- Take it slow. Undo haste makes waste. Don’t become paralyzed by indecision, but think before you move.
- Communicate. It’s the most important job of leadership: Tell the truth, tell it all, tell it now, tell it often.
- Trust your people. Remember that imperfect paddler in the bow of your canoe? You need her now more than ever, give her the encouragement and support she deserves and needs. (By the way, you’re imperfect as well.)
- Know where you’re going; what is your destination? If you know where your destination is, you can make a plan to get there.
- Make a plan to survive the storm. This is not the time to focus on purchasing a better canoe or a new paddle — sorry, but you’ve got what you’ve got and you’ll need to make do for now. Your best plan might be a circuitous route rather than a straight line so as to stay away from the biggest waves and the strongest wind.
- Stay flexible. The wind might shift, your canoe might take on water, someone might be hurt, your paddle might break, you might get exhausted. Be prepared to adjust.
- Don’t do dumb things. If there is a way to temporarily seek safe shelter, do it rather than taking unnecessary risks. Sometimes doing nothing short-term is the best solution.
- Wear high-quality life jackets. If the worst happens and you capsize, be prepared to stay alive until help arrives. You can always start over if you’re still alive.
- At Without a Vision Consultancy we’ve paddled successfully across many lakes and survived numerous storms.
- Call on us to help you.
- Logistics, it’s always the logistics… or the math.
- For my readers who are focused on the governance function:
- Boards have a special responsibility during crises and must act differently and appropriately.
- Three things:
- Don’t further tax the CEO’s agenda, but stay informed — and keenly tuned-in;
- Augment the CEO’s capacity by stepping up to do some of management’s work IF carefully planned, coordinated, respected, and monitored;
- Set the strategic direction for the post-crisis world while guiding and supporting the CEO’s alignment with that direction.
- This is called vision — and guess what? Without a vision, the organization fails.
When you tell others about me, please emphasize my unique approach.I work with individuals, governance structures (Boards), non-profits, and businesses wanting to be bigger, better, stronger, healthier, happier… yes, all five are possible and best done in concert, but it typically requires a coach (consultant) or a companion to help illuminate the path.At Without a Vision Consultancy LLC — www.withoutavision.org — we LISTEN, we LEARN, we LISTEN some more, and only then do we suggest strategic directions unique to your situation. We do not bring a one-size-fits-all template, nor the latest flash-in-the-pan solutions, to working with you.As we work with you we deliver and provide an increase in your CONFIDENCE, and CLARITY while providing coaching and companionship for your journey.We bring more than fifty years of experience from all sides of the Board table in thirteen different leadership roles — 26 of those years as a CEO.
###
Looking for help on your next capital campaign, leadership training, or any number of other services? Contact us today!
