We're all focused on one crisis, but don't take your eye off the ball elsewhere

Did you know coronavirus isn't the only big global news story? Even though it's consuming just about every media headline, other significant events are happening in the world.

The World Economic Forum reports that other major events over the last few months include locust swarms causing an unprecedented threat to food security in East Africa, Earth having its second warmest February since climate records began, and a price war significantly impacting oil supply.

The same principle - one major crisis taking the focus off other important issues - may well be playing out in your world. The reality is, just because you're in lockdown, your organisation isn't immune to other crises.

The media might be obsessed with COVID-19 stories, but there'll come a time when they will start to look for other scandals and negative sensations - and you don't want that to involve you or your business.

One of the most famous quotes relating to crisis management is Henry Kissinger's “An issue ignored is a crisis ensured.” Are you ignoring a festering issue right now that could escalate into a crisis?

As someone called in to manage the fallout from major public scandals, I can tell you that in the vast majority of cases, the crisis was 100% avoidable; it could have been resolved in its early stages. Instead, it was left unchecked and continued to grow - eventually emerging as a monster that threatened to devour the business.

Don't let your reputation experience death by a thousand cuts while your focus is elsewhere. As you continue to juggle the various tentacles of COVID-19 in your team and organisation, here are some steps to staying on top of other emerging issues.

Audit your issues

You can't fix a problem if you don't know it exists. When it comes to negative issues, ignorance is rarely bliss. As soon as you have breathing space from managing pandemic matters, do a stocktake of other potential ticking time bombs in your team. Where are stakeholders' needs not being met? What processes have become sloppy? What key people have become disgruntled?

Auditing and prioritising potential issues gives you invaluable insights and helps you decide what to tackle next.

Be proactive

If something has gone amiss, do something about it immediately and communicate openly. Rather than the old-school approach of "wait and see", take the initiative in talking about the problem. This is far more powerful than being forced to communicate once it's out in the open. Never assume the issue will go away of its own accord; that's rarely, if ever, the case. Being open and transparent in a negative situation goes a long way to rebuilding trust and credibility.

Constant weeding

Just like maintaining a garden, managing issues is an ongoing process; you want to pluck problems out before they have a chance to spread. Be continually vigilant and have a process in place for raising and taking action on potential negative issues; this could be as simple as asking a regular question at your team Zoom meetings like, "What else is happening that might be a risk to our reputation?"

You have a lot on your plate managing the impacts of a global pandemic. Don't create future headaches by allowing yourself to be distracted from what's going on under your nose.

Dr Neryl East is a professional speaker and facilitator who works with current and future leaders who want to be heard, stand out and command influence. Connect with her: https://www.dhirubhai.net/in/neryleast/