Quick—can you name a resilient organization?
How about the local dry cleaner that trims its hours because they can’t find new staff? Nope.
How about the plumber that loses approved vendor status because their jobs keep running late due to an unreliable truck constantly breaking down? Definitely not.
Or the company that shuts down after the founder dies? Absolutely not.
Resilient organizations do more than just react. They see, plan, and act on what it takes to survive and thrive in the face of any disruption.
The U.S. Military is a prime example. They probably invented the term redundant systems, and because of that meticulous planning, they’ve become one of the most resilient organizations in the world.
While I’ll continue to share tips and techniques on building resilience, today I want to focus on what’s arguably the bedrock of any resilient organization—its people. Whether you call them team members, employees, agents, or provocateurs, they’re the ones who ultimately ensure the mission is accomplished.
The 4 “What” Questions
Whether consciously or not, when we show up to work—whether it’s for “the man,” the organization, or even ourselves—these 4 key questions tend to run through our minds:
- What is this organization’s purpose? (What’s the objective?)
- What are we going to do to get there? (What’s the plan?)
- What am I going to do to help? (What’s my function?)
- What do I get out of it? (What’s my reward?)
Sure, there are plenty of systems that play a role in resilience—supply chains, networks, equipment, and more. The list is long and distinguished. But none of those systems matter without the people behind them. If the team isn’t aligned, motivated, and clear on their role, even the best systems will fall apart.
What to Do Next
If you’re the leader, make sure these 4 questions get answered early and often. Your team needs to know the purpose, the plan, their role, and what they stand to gain.
If you’re a team member, don’t wait—ask these questions until you get clear answers. Clarity fuels resilience.
And if you’re anyone trying to build resilience—whether for your team or yourself—and want help crafting meaningful answers, reach out. I’ll do my best to help you strengthen your foundation.