The COVID-19 global health crisis is of unprecedented scale in our lifetimes. The resulting economic shocks will reverberate among our countries, our communities and our businesses for years to come.
The U.S. Army War College, in the post-Cold War era, coined the term “VUCA” (volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity). The world, especially since the 2008-2009 financial crisis, has been characterized by all of the above.
However, the current pandemic has substituted “chaos” for “complexity.” Questions abound, with no certain answers. Questions like:
These are but a few of the questions that come into play as we think about the uncertain and volatile world.
However, in the midst of the crisis there are also silver linings – opportunities for re-invention, innovation, and a “re-set.”
The smart companies will tap their board members as partners in this journey. As we think about the profile of the next director, the person would not necessarily meet the classic profile of a retired CEO or CFO, but would ideally be pulled from a more nontraditional pool.
Your next director should be more attribute based, i.e.:
In this upside-down world, we must put a premium on a director who embraces uncertainty and is adept at looking at trends, connecting the dots, and helping with “sense-making.”
Look beyond the obvious candidate for your next post COVID-19 Director. That individual, by definition, will be more diverse (gender, ethnicity, age and entrepreneurial mind-set). He or she may be just the person you need to help the organization not only survive, but thrive, in this chaotic world in which we live.
BoardReady helps companies think through their board leadership and how to diversify their thinking, connecting businesses like yours with exemplary director candidates who will help your organization adapt and prosper in the uncertain times that lie ahead. For more information, visit boardready.io or email Jeni Elam Jeni@boardready.io to setup a meeting.