What’s your North Star?
It’s a question I’ve asked clients repeatedly over the last several months—and one I plan to continue asking. Polaris—the North Star—represents direction and purpose and finding one’s way. And finding a way is the work that so many association professionals are in right now.
Finding a way to balance the budget. Finding a way to keep teams intact. Finding a way to meet online. Finding a way to keeping the organization going. Finding a way to capitalize on what’s happening in order to protect the association’s value proposition. In short: finding a way forward.
When confusion, uncertainty and overwhelm set in, stop and ask: What’s our North Star? Write the answer down. Then, work to make it happen. The question is a shortcut to action.
It may be that you have various North Stars. You may choose one for staffing, one for finances and one for meetings. Or you may have one for 2020, one for 2021 and 2022. You might have them by department within your organization. Some may be in conflict. But that’s part of the work of following a North Star—figuring out what’s more important when facing a choice.
I personally have multiple North Stars, both personally and professionally. Mine serve as a reminder, and a touchstone, when I have a hard decision to make. They offer clarity and direction when I need to find a way.
Finding a way. That’s the work we’re in now. Whether it’s responding to COVID or injustice, our work matters. Perhaps even more than it has for a long time. I’m in it to win it. How about you?