Accelerating the Pace of Change
I was recently asked to contribute an article to Life Science Leader’s Ask the Board column. The question was: What is your biggest business learning of 2020?
I spent some time thinking about this. There’s no doubt, 2020 has brought all kinds of perspective. Some of what I’ve seen confirms what I’ve believed and spoken about for years. Yet at the same time, I’ve gained new insights into people, business, culture and crisis. I’ll be writing more about what I’ve seen and learned, and I’ll tell you how I am advising my clients these days, as we navigate today’s crisis and forge the path forward.
For now, here’s a sneak peek at what I wrote for Life Science Leader.
What is your biggest business learning of 2020?
My biggest business learning of 2020? I’d have to say, it’s less a new discovery than a validation of what I’ve believed for some time. Change needn’t take forever. Despite the resistances that so often get in the way.
The trick is in slowing down to speed up: Taking just enough time to prep the conditions for change, then hitting the gas. Once you’ve laid the foundation—made the case for change, demonstrated urgency, had the right discussions, reviewed the data, engaged your constituents, anticipated and addressed resistances—things can move at an impressive pace.
My client, Debbie Visconi, has overseen important changes these past six months. As CEO of Bergen New Bridge Medical Center both before and during the COVID-19 crisis, Debbie has seen telehealth and electronic billing take off. Progress on both had been slow-going before COVID-19 made them essential. You can hear my discussion with Debbie here. Or read the full transcript here.
The fact is, innovation can occur rapidly when it needs to. 2020 has brought us plenty of incentive to make it happen. It’s forced us all to pause, reflect, and regroup and it’s provided the impetus to drive meaningful change with lasting impact.
Four Ways I Can Help You Right Away
If you’d like my help in navigating today’s challenges and setting course for tomorrow, send me an email or give me a call. Together, we can explore ways to improve and dramatically accelerate your results.
Some of my latest offerings include:
1.Strategic Advisor to the CEO and Executive Team. If you’d like an objective thought partner with whom you can discuss matters of leadership, strategy, team dynamics, and leading through change, you’ll want to consider this approach. You’ll have me on speed dial to discuss opportunities and challenges in real time—to make your best decisions today and thoughtfully strategize for tomorrow.
2.Slow Down to Speed Up® Toolkit. It’s never been more important to equip your team with the right tools for performance. I will work directly with your team, using my proprietary approach, and provide them with a pragmatic framework to enhance decision-making, collaboration, delegation, communication, and prioritization. With the Slow Down to Speed Up® toolkit at their disposal, your group will perform better, lead with confidence, and drive better business outcomes.
3.Sentient Strategy®. I will work closely with you and your team to develop the kind of strategy that meets today’s challenges head-on, while creating meaningful progress toward realizing your vision. Over the course of a full-day session (with a bit of targeted pre- and post-work), or two half-day remote sessions, we will pinpoint your top three growth drivers and put them to the test. Accountability for implementation is a key part of the process.
4.Slow Down to Speed Up® Briefings for New Leaders. I have to give credit to one of my favorite clients for this great idea. After I provided two keynote addresses for the Northrop Grumman Management Club, they told me they’d decided to host a five-week book club featuring Slow Down to Speed Up: Lead, Succeed, and Thrive in a 24/7 World. It was a creative, engaging, high impact way to provide their people with my SDTSU tools for success. I can help you do the same for your organization.
To your continued health, wellness, and steadfast leadership.
Dr. Liz
