Does anyone else feel like a contestant on an obstacle course TV show–trying to keep moving forward while constantly being knocked down by one absurd hurdle after another? Right now, numerous organizations are navigating threats to critical safety nets given cuts to funding by the federal administration and the California State budget. It’s clear we are living in a time of deep uncertainty, and many organizations are asking, “How can we plan for a future we can’t predict?”
(While this uncertainty can feel daunting, it’s worth remembering we’ve faced the unknown before). Just five years ago, the world was grappling with a global pandemic that brought fear, questions and collective trauma. COVID-19 fundamentally changed our daily lives and forced us to find new ways to adapt.
Even as we continue to navigate a world reshaped by the pandemic, it’s crucial that we don’t forget the lessons COVID-19 revealed—particularly the importance of being ready for disruption and leading with care.
Here’s how we saw the most effective organizations react and adapt during COVID-19:
Prioritized People and Wellbeing
- Clear, compassionate communication became a daily or weekly norm.
- They focused on employee health (physical and mental), offering flexibility, wellness support, and “open-door” policies for concerns.
- Leaders were visible and human, acknowledging uncertainty and showing vulnerability.
Strengthened Stakeholder Engagement
- They stayed close to stakeholders, funders, or constituents with rapid feedback loops, pulse surveys, and transparent updates.
- They listened deeply to the needs of their communities and adjusted services accordingly.
- Trusted messenger strategies emerged to reach communities facing misinformation or language barriers.
Operated with Strategic Agility
- They used scenario planning to prepare for uncertainty.
- They revisited and reprioritized strategic plans, shifting resources to what mattered most.
- Some flattened hierarchies, empowering cross-functional teams to make fast, decentralized decisions.
Today we have the benefit of hindsight to learn from the lessons of the pandemic. Here are some questions organizations can ask to plan for today’s challenges.
Prioritized People and Wellbeing
- How do we ensure that our people feel seen, supported, and safe—especially during times of uncertainty or change?
- Are we offering the flexibility and wellness supports that align with the current realities and needs of our staff?
- Do our leaders model empathy, transparency, and vulnerability in ways that strengthen trust and psychological safety?
Strengthened Stakeholder Engagement
- How do we regularly listen to our stakeholders, funders, and communities—and how quickly do we adapt based on what we hear?
- Do we have trusted community champions who can authentically share our story and explain why our work matters—in their own voice and to their own networks?
- Do our communications reflect the language, values, and priorities of the people we aim to serve?
Operated with Strategic Agility
- Do we have mechanisms in place—like scenario planning or real-time data—to help us pivot quickly when conditions change?
- Are we regularly revisiting our strategic priorities to ensure we’re focused on what matters most now—not just what was important a year ago?
- How empowered are cross-functional teams or frontline staff to make timely decisions in response to emerging challenges?