The Self-Assessment
I have been working on these questions as a useful (but non-exhaustive) tool for leaders who are in the process of closing down their company, organization, or project. I recommend you work through them with a trusted partner, I think one section per session is enough. Give yourself some emotional space!
The idea is that they will help you think through the messy/more emotional stuff but also identify critical TODOs. Write out your answers but keep a separate notepad space for reminders that pop up as you think this through.
(If you aren’t sure whether you are at a closing point yet, I suggest you first work through the excellent Sensing An Ending toolkit from my friends at Stewarding Loss.)
Self-Assessment Questions
History of [ORG] and you!
- What brought you to (create) [ORG]?
- What kept you at [ORG]?
- What role does [ORG] play in your day to day life? How long has it played that role?
- What did you do try to keep [ORG] alive longer?
- Do you feel there were any social structures that unfairly contributed to this end? Are there any larger hardships you felt you and/or [ORG] faced?
- What were you able to accomplish through working with/at [ORG]?
You and Loss
- What is your history of grief and loss?
- What rituals, practices, and our cultural traditions do you already have?
- How are they working? How have they worked?
Wreckage of the Past
- What do you wish you had done differently during your time at ORG?
- What do you wish ORG had been able to do/accomplish?
- What do you wish ORG had never done? Any other regrets?
Wreckage of the Future
- What do you feel like you will you lose when ORG closes?
- Who do you feel like/worry you will be when ORG closes?
- How do you think that you will you structure your days when ORG closes? What changes?
The Present
- Who needs to know that ORG has closed?
- Who will tell them?
- What thing/things from ORG hold meaning to you? Can you keep them? Why or why not?
- What thing/things from ORG could be useful to others? Can you give those things to them? Why or why not?
- What else feels unclear?
- What else feels unspoken?
- What else needs attention?
- Is there anything you still want to do in the time you have left and what help do you need?
- Is there anything you still want to make right in the time you have left?
The Team
- Do people need to be let go?
- How to communicate that?
- How to soften the blow?
- Can/should they be brought into this process?
- Emotional and tangible resources?
- What mark do they still want to leave?