Nuggets of Gold

As a leader, you are facing unprecedented times.  Not that leading in normal times are easy, but the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic has been magnified by the world wide response and demonstrations in support of societal justice…specifically for those of colour.

Let me revisit that comment.  The world-wide response and demonstrations in support of societal justice have been magnified by the impact of the Covid 19 pandemic.  I think that it is important to put these two in this order because the former has existed for generations and cannot be fixed by the creation of a vaccine.  The latter has simply shone another and brighter light on the pre-existing situation.

Your challenge is to find the right strategy to guide your organization during these times.  I hesitate to say ‘through’ these times because the end is outside of your control.  Individually you cannot ‘fix’ either of these ills and you are as dependent as the rest of your team in the reliance of others to find the solutions.  Therefore you must strategize the ‘during’ period.

My advice is simple but, at the same time, also extremely difficult.

In all situations there is but one truth, one absolute.  And it is upon this truth that you can build a firm foundation.  That is the simple part.

The difficult part is finding it.  In today’s social media dominated world there is no lack of ‘information’.  Much of it is highly influenced by the biases of the author and by the validity of the ‘facts’ upon which the opinion is based.

You must be a prospector in your search for truth.  Not unlike the prospectors who panned for gold in the silt on the river bottoms, you must sift through the data and opinions until you find your nuggets of gold.  Once you have, and further tested to ensure that it is not fool’s gold, you have the foundation that is based on truth.  Now you can plan with assurance.

Recognize that this is not a quick process. No prospector got rich with one nugget and none found enough in one pass of the pan.  But the process is definitely worth the effort.

Don’t look for short cuts.  Don’t be ashamed to engage others in your search.

Like gold, your strategy will shine and show others – employees, clients, suppliers and society in general – the values upon which your company operates.  It will be evidenced in the moral, ethical and legal standards that support your decisions; that are reflected in your workforce; and by your contributions to society.

Simple, yes, but not easy.  Are you up to it?