Volatile. Uncertain. Complex. Ambiguous. VUCA – what was once a nebulous term used to forecast an uncertain future, today is our “new normal.” For the most part, the world has moved past COVID, and when we emerged from the other side, we somewhat expected it to be business as usual.
Today, we are on the brink of another economic slowdown with a looming recession. The recent failure of Silicon Valley Bank and filings by J&J to lay off as many as 1,000 workers in their medtech business are just a few examples of a new reality in our world. We know a private equity and venture capital recession means reducing financial burden, layoffs, and hiring freezes. This is usually accompanied by rosters of qualified talent posted to social media as an unofficial endorsement by managers or peers. But how do you know if you have the right people in the right seats to weather this next storm?
Among publicly held and privately held organizations, we specialize in working with PE and VC firms to build out senior leadership teams within their portfolio companies. Lately, we’ve heard our clients and CEOs tell us:
“The team I have in place is good, but they are stuck in their ways. They don’t have the right skills to drive the strategy forward in difficult or uncertain times. Direct reports and functional leaders that thrived in a booming environment are struggling to perform – and I fear this will last through the next few quarters.”
Should You Focus on the Short-Term or the Long-Term?
![drive-impact what do you need today to drive for impact and get you to where you want to be in three years?](https://mbexec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/drive-impact.png)
Do You Have the Right Talent in Place?
Are Your Leaders Adaptable, Resilient, and Agile?
![steadfast-agile-leaders Steadfast, agile leaders will not only support the organization through uncertain times but help enable and coach other team members who may find it more difficult.](https://mbexec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/steadfast-agile-leaders.png)
Have They Faced Adversity in the Past?
Do Different Times Call For Different Leadership Styles?
![new-normal In today’s “new normal” of uncertainty, great leaders must be able to downshift and leverage skills like self-awareness, empathy, thoughtful communication, and resiliency.](https://mbexec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/new-normal.png)
How Can You Inspire Innovation During Difficult Times?
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After layoffs, the remaining team members have only about 50% of the skills needed to support the organization.
![ChrisBull_website Chris Bull](https://mbexec.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/ChrisBull_website.png)
Chris Bull
Managing Partner + Co-Founder
Jake Vander Zanden
Partner