Every day is bringing a new piece of information for us to grapple with. How do we listen for the signal amidst the noise? This is where continuous sense-making by leadership teams comes in. This capability lessens ambiguity and moves organizations from reactive to responsive.
Continuous sense-making looks like this:
- Consider what has changed within the last day, week, or month. Why does it matter? Who will be most affected? What do you believe are the potential first, second, and third effects this change may bring about in your organization?
- As you reflect on this change, ask how it aligns with what is most important to your current and long-term strategies/goals and your mission overall?
- Examine where your agency stands in relation to this change? What strengths and assets, capabilities, and resources allow you to respond instead of react?
- What small, purposeful action can you and your team take now to test your understanding and strengthen your ability to adapt over time?
- What feedback loops can you create to learn from this action and adjust accordingly?
In a world that refuses to pause, the ability of leadership teams to engage in continuous sense-making is no longer optional—it’s essential. These five questions aren’t just a checklist; they’re a practice that helps organizations stay grounded, focused, and aligned amidst the swirl of change.