We have learnt to fail and fail quickly but…we have not learnt to learn from our failures to deal with the Future of the “altered” work?!
Many articles on Covid19 and its aftermath create a dooms day scenario and how we need to learn from it and ensure we never repeat the mistakes of the past. So, I ask the question what’s different now? Is it the lockdown playing tricks on our minds, perhaps yes!
‘Cause my friends, this isn’t the first virus we are dealing with.
Let me point out – we had SARS, SARS wave 2, Avian Flu, Ebola, MERS, ZYKA, NIPAH…in recet times and about 9+ viruses that have created a Pandemic since 1955 – what happened was that some or all of it was in pockets or in the remote history which our generation is not so familiar with. Covid19 is not the first and certainly will not be the last.
Business’ ability to learn and respond has always been a matter of great concern and study. When WFH started many years ago, it was seen as an act of inclusion, a way to cut costs, an innnovative approach to work. Today TCS has been able to have 90% of its staff WEFH – yes not just WFH but Work Effectively From Home. WEFH is seen as an ability to ensure business continuity not only for themselves but also their clients / customers. Were they ready for it? perhaps yes, perhaps not – but they Adapted and very quickly too. This is an outstanding example of Adaptive Leadership. It certainly will be a great Case Study for the future. Leadership in nations that have women leaders will perhaps be another examlple. Lastly, if we get beyond our politics and self loathing, the way India has responded too will be an excellent example. So how do you plan to be ready for the Future of the “altered” work?
If we had learnt from the earlier viruses, we all should have been able to adapt. Why don’t we do that?
It’s human to react to a situation. But the ability to learn from a crisis and respond with actions that create lasting change require a very different capability – Adaptive Leadership.
Adaptive Leadership is defined as a practical leadership framework that helps individuals and organizations adapt and thrive in challenging environments. It is being able, both individually and collectively, to take on the gradual but meaningful process of change. Dr. Ronald A. Heifetz and Marty Linsky and Alexander Grashow at Harvard University developed adaptive leadership as a way to work within the fast-changing landscape of today’s world (The Practice of Adaptive Leadership: Tools and Tactics for Changing Your Organization and the World. Harvard Business Review Press, 2009).
There are 4 dimensions of adaptive leadership, and they create the leadership framework:
1. Navigating business environments
2. Leading with empathy
3. Learning through self-correction and reflection
4. Creating win-win solutions
In one sense, COVID19 is the equivalent of the Motorola – Nokia moment, The Kodak Moment, The Palm Moment – you will find / know enough examples in every article and book – famously articulated by Joel Barker. But it is just one defining moment of this century for businesses…and people, yes People!!!
How we create lasting change is a direct function of our Adaptive Leadership Capability. So, lead kindly, with empathy, self-reflection and create win-win solutions.
Stay safe and be kind to yourself and others around you…
About the author: Vasu has a keen interest in learning, intervention theory, human development, managing & driving change in multi-cultural environments and is a digital evangelist. He truly believes that the millennials will change the world for the better. He is the Founder & Designated Partner at Thrush Blubirdz Advisory LLP which works in the space of Digitization. He is also the founder of BluTech Talent Plus LLP, which is a digital services provider of Implementation and Maintenance Services of SAP SuccessFactors. Vasu is a Start-up mentor and does Pro-Bono work as part of the Stanford Seed Program.
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