The Knowledge Leaders Need in 2021

2020 flows into 2021. The dates change. The disruption and issues do not.  But the leadership, pivots, improvements, solutions, possibilities, and opportunities for the future will transform.

What will we continually need in 2021?

Leaders (parents at home, educators at school, executives and administrators in healthcare, businesses, non-profits, and government agencies) will need to assess the need for continual pivots; continual ways we think and act to meet the needs of children, colleagues, and teams, employees and customers—and self-care!

PIVOTAL LEADERSHIP-- the ability of leaders to pivot, adapt, and transform as their world disrupts around them, is essential.

In 2020 we not only observed but experienced powerful pivots! Learning, teaching, and speaking went virtual. When possible, healthcare visits went to video visits and telemedicine. Millions of workers shifted from offices to make-shift home offices with more family members or roommates.

Pivot means to make a fundamental, often abrupt, and rapid change in direction.

Pivots were demanded. Many demands emerged—and continue.  Pivotal leaders met immediate needs as automakers GM and Ford transformed their production lines to making 100,000+ ventilators. Beer distilleries produced hand sanitizers. Luxury clothing manufacturers produced PPE gowns and masks. Small businesses went online for the first time, and restaurants, cafes, and even bars (with food) pivoted to take-out and delivery.

Leaders who pivot have a compelling, focused aim and a solid foundation of management thinking to draw from.

Pivotal leaders quickly assessed the situation when the pandemic emerged, sensed what their constituents needed, and responded! They gathered rapid action teams, brainstormed ideas, and quickly created solutions. They designed, focused, and applied on the move! 

 Pivoting takes vision, rapid decision-making, and ubiquitous communication. It’s a commitment to experiment and take immediate action. Time is of the essence!

2021 demands pivotal leadership!

People who continually generate the most creative ideas are the most resilient and likely to pivot, survive, and thrive.

• What pivotal leadership, at home, at work, and in the community do you need?

• Are you ready to pivot at the speed you will need to create new services or products, survive, or rapidly scale to meet demands?

• How do you quickly develop creative, bold, different ideas, and strategies? (the more creative you are, the more resilient you can be!)

• Have you assessed your Leaders’ ability to pivot and transform?

• Have you done a Pivot audit of your organization’s ability to pivot or what it needs?

Determine what you need. Pivoting is an essential process. If you need guidance, contact me to accelerate your learning and implementation of pivoting.

WHAT OTHERS ARE SAYING:
“Full of counterintuitive advice, Marcia will shake up your thinking about what it means to be a leader.” - Daniel Pink, author

“I worked with Marcia as our guide for a year and learned more about Dr. Deming’s philosophies than I had in 25 years. If you are looking for someone who can use the Deming approach to help you pivot your business to meet the changing world “post coronavirus,” I highly recommend Marcia.” - Ed Hayward, Director, Pasona North America

“A life changer for organizations everywhere.” - Ken Blanchard