How the Best Leaders Answer “What Are We Here for?”

 

In a crisis, failure seems to be very close. This forces the leaders to switch to command-and-control mode, tight schedules, budgets, military-style of working. However, what is required in such situations is a sense of shared responsibility. Leaders gather similar groups of people to come together and examine to find the answer together.

Leaders should be able to elucidate the answer to the question  "What are we here for?" In a crisis, this becomes all the more important as the past useful acts become irrelevant overnight. Business as usual may no longer work and leaders have to a new direction for the future instead of maintaining the status quo. 

Where and how do the leaders find the answer to the above question? In a hierarchical organisation, leaders are expected to provide the answer but this may lack the effort or may be perceived as not correct. Instead of answering or giving directions, it would be better to let it emerge from the team members after discussions.

At times it may be necessary to adopt a command-and-control leadership style if the situation demands it and many times it may be a mix of both the methods. When there is great trust, cooperation among members collaboration efforts will pay off. the challenge for leaders in such cases would be to ensure freedom and resources to preserve such activities.

For real integrity, a company's purpose is driven by its ecosystem - diversity of employees, customers, partners. By bringing in a diverse group of stakeholders allows a fresh generation of ideas which would serve all the members. This would offer a new opportunity to grow in size and scope as well as satisfy all the constituents.

The health of any business depends upon the health of the society the business serves. In a crisis, the leader's role will only become more critical. The nature of the job may change but the purpose will remain the same - To stay relevant by listening to central and marginal voices in the communities it serves and growing the business at the same time.

How the Best Leaders Answer “What Are We Here for?”
by Margaret Heffernan HBR 2020/10