Strategic Planning is a very standard, futuristic organizational development activity that is used by both the private and public sectors.  Usually, an independent consultant is retained to help facilitate the process and concurrently draft a document that hopefully gives everyone a progressive design to move forward. Some plans are formatted to provide a five (5) year projection… while others may only look forward a couple years. Regardless, it is always helpful to employ a proactive plan that Boards, staffs, and communities may view as the future.

But what about now? No one EVER planned for or around the situation we all face today.

Well in an effort to offer a mini “where do we go from here” idea, I believe an appropriate starting spot would be to Revisit Your Groups Strategic Plan.

First, look through the whole document.  Don’t be in a hurry… but try to prioritize 1-to-5 actions that would be reasonably achievable. Use simplicity, timeliness, and organization-wide participation as your guiding prioritizing principles.

Second, don’t rekindle your agency momentum alone.  Involve a representative group of go-getters from all levels within the organization. Be sure to openly entertain ideas and suggestions for taking solid, progressive restart steps.

Finally, if you find yourself asking the question(s) if you are doing the right thing… STOP! Then turn the question(s) around and ask yourself to list at least three (3) reasons why you should NOT take new action.  Make yourself write them down… to make sure YOU are listening.

Waiting for the right moment results in just one thing… WAITING!!  Take the lead and set a progressive example.