2021:
Navigating Uncharted Territory
Powerful questions drove our client work as we forged new paths together.
Covid forced us to pivot in 2020. This year we imagined and tested new possibilities. Whether co-creating adaptive strategies, redesigning work practices or coaching leaders, we tested our assumptions in order to lean into the emerging future. We noticed a number of themes that inform our work ahead.
Key themes:
The ‘future of work’ will be highly customized. Culture, leadership and size are driving choices about strategy, HR policies, even ownership models. There are no cookie cutter models or solutions.
Take note C suite: employees rule. They seek flexibility, wellness, learning, trusting relationships and purpose. Employers must listen, learn and adapt or risk losing talent. The Great Resignation is real and will accelerate in 2022.
The time is now! We must design better protocols for working together. Investing in this critical work up front - chartering teams, facilitating inclusive meetings, establishing decision matrices, treating everyone with respect and kindness - improves trusting relationships and teaming whether you’re remote, in person or both. Business has undervalued this important work - the negative consequences are clear.
2021 was Kaplan Consulting’s 21st year partnering with bold clients to reimagine and reinvent work.
We’re proud to introduce our new website and brand to reflect our work, our values and beliefs and how we add value for diverse organizations across the globe.
Our heart and soul is to rewire work for a more just and vibrant future.
MCAD: Designing a Bold Adaptive Strategy
We’re honored to partner with The Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) to chart an adaptive strategy that features their aspiration to be a radically accessible and inclusive college. We collaborated remotely for months. When we finally gathered in person, we laughed and played, imagined future scenarios and explored MCAD’s role to advance equity, inclusion and justice not far from Powderhorn Park where George Floyd was murdered. In 2022 we will build the scaffolding to deliver MCAD’s strategic priorities.
Proof Diagnostics: Aligning leadership to accelerate results
What happens when leading scientists pivot to face a global pandemic head on? Breakthrough solutions. We were honored to work with the leadership team of Proof Diagnostics to align, design and fine tune their game plan, as they convened in person for the first time. This fully remote leadership team launched a startup under exceptional challenges. At a supercharged retreat, we facilitated safe space to build relationships, explore unstated assumptions and commit to deliverables. We also took in a Red Sox game. We know intuitively and research validates that teams are more creative, productive and happy when they have fun together. Besides, who doesn’t love a night at Fenway?
Coaching: Working through stress and collective trauma
Our coaching practice illuminated individual stress and collective trauma. Our clients asked:
‘How do I make decisions with so little reliable data?’
‘Do work boundaries really exist anymore?’
‘‘We’re climate scientists, and our offices were destroyed from hurricane Ida. How do I motivate my team when I feel paralyzed?’
As coaches, we listen. We express empathy. And we support people to look inward to discover the calm that leads to positive action.
On a personal note
Like so many, I’ve experienced massive transitions - love, loss and a new place to call home. We lost my beloved father-in-law and a few months later celebrated our daughter’s wedding. We also found a piece of paradise to call home on Narragansett Bay - nourished daily by water, woods and plenty of critters. Yoga, walks in the woods and playtime with friends and family have kept me centered through these ups and downs.
A highlight this year has been co-chairing the board of Social Enterprise Greenhouse (SEG). SEG makes a powerful difference in the world by enabling entrepreneurs to accelerate social impact. I espouse shared leadership to clients, and now I can attest to the power of this collaborative model. Partnering with Kathy Bendheim feels like butter - sweet and smooth.
2022: What’s Ahead
Accelerating impact is super hard even for people who have such positive intentions. In 2022 we will focus on translating intent to action for people, teams, enterprises and networks. We will continue to work at the intersection of adaptive strategy and agile work practices. A few questions tickle our curiosity:
How can teams strip away fluff (stuff that doesn’t add value) to make better, faster progress?
What if teams had to make a formal pledge to behave with deep, abiding trust or dismantle?
What governance structure will unlock the power of teams of teams?
OK, we’re org. geeks. Maybe the better question is: how can work be more fun? Because we know deep down that that fun leads to better work.