How to Weather Tumultuous Times: The 3 Common Traits of Successful Organizations

{For an in-depth discussion of these and other topical issues in the international education field, please join us on Tuesday, April 8 at 2:00 pm EDT for Open World Solutions’ Tuesday Tea discussion.  Registration}

To state the obvious, we are all grappling with wide-ranging disruption in the international education and development sectors. Programs have been paused, staff have been furloughed, and program participants have been left in limbo, all on an unprecedented scale. The way forward can appear dark and desperate. 

Working with a wide variety of clients, including higher education institutions, NGOs and corporate programs around the world, we at OWS have a unique cross-organizational view of the state of the industry. In conjunction with creative leaders in the international education sphere, we have helped organizations respond to current circumstances by making difficult decisions and adapting to changing circumstances. We can see that organizations with these three common elements will be most successful in this tumultuous environment:  Refocus on Foundational Values, Demonstrate Creativity in Program Design and Exemplify Courageous Leadership. 

Refocus on Foundational Values

Revisiting institutional roots and mission is paramount during a time of organizational crisis. This is the opportunity to go back and look at why an organization was created and review its original mandate. For instance, one organization originally created to serve a local community and which grew to have a national presence is now looking at retracting its programmatic thrust back to the original region served. We have seen other organizations strategically re-evaluate which of their programmatic directions, once broad and multifold, need to be trimmed with a refocus on areas of unique institutional strength. It is true that in these cases, focusing on a narrower scope of activity results in a diminished workforce. But re-affirming organizational principles and re-aligning activities accordingly can have a powerful stabilizing effect, directing resources towards targeted institutional strengths and providing a solid basis for later rebound and regrowth.

Demonstrate Creativity in Program Design

In times of flux, creative pivoting and reallocation of resources to address new programmatic realities is essential. To navigate a restrictive environment, organizations are exploring non-traditional methods of engagement. Virtual exchanges, which leverage technology to connect participants across borders, can bypass physical and political barriers. This technology, widely deployed during the pandemic, is available, low-cost and significantly moves the needle in broadening access to intercultural engagement. Tailoring initiatives to address specific global issues—like climate change, sustainability or public health crises— resonates strongly with today’s generation of students and their values, including the urgency of confronting macro challenges.

Exemplify Courageous Leadership

Finally, bold leadership is key to steering organizations forward through challenging times, recognizing new opportunities and embracing change. Leaders with the courage to challenge the status quo can reimagine exchanges in ways that defy constraints. For instance, fostering partnerships with private companies, NGOs, and grassroots organizations can expand program reach and reduce dependency on government policies. Leaders must be adept at navigating complexities, finding opportunities in adversity, and inspiring trust among stakeholders. We have all seen examples of caution paralyzing decision-making, but during the current crisis we at OWS have also been inspired by institutional leaders who are fearlessly forging ahead, willing to jettison old structures and introduce non-intuitive and quite breathtaking new solutions. At the same time, they steadily reaffirm the principles of global understanding and collaboration that allow all of us in the field of international exchange to counter common narratives that emphasize division over connection.

How are you moving ahead in these challenging days? Where are you finding inspiration? For a discussion on these and other items, please join us for OWS’ next Tuesday Tea on April 8th at 2:00pm EDT. Registration is available here.