Standing still has never been an option for executives, and the events of the past year have amplified that truth. CEOs of all stripes recognize that reality, whether by choice or by pressure. The pandemic spurred urgency, but which organizations will persist in operating at that speed? “The big challenge,” says Daimler Mobility’s Franz Reiner, “will be to carry this momentum forward. To continue with a clear focus on fewer projects, with a clear mindset to implement those more quickly. We have to be careful not to fall back into old habits.”
When it comes to a crisis, the word “survival” is limiting. Organizations can’t just stay the same and endure; they need to reshape themselves for the future. Even the oft-cited word “resilience” could describe bending in the wind—and then simply snapping back to the status quo, with no ground gained. That may be the safest course, but it’s not the most forward-focused. And it may not be enough to navigate future disruptions.