Exactly a month ago, just after I commenced my focus on offering support through this time, I posted: “Permission to Pause“, noting:
“for leaders needing to make a decision at this or any other time, consider taking a pause before deciding”
Yes, many immediate areas need to be addressed, yet as we “settle in” to the current normal of lockdowns, and with all the uncertainty around what the future may hold, let me give you this thought for the future:
the World is “On Pause”
The situation is indeed awful at a human level, so let us always recognise that and be empathic and understanding. In addition, the economic impact on individuals, businesses, the economy is huge too.
Let us also recognise that these massive human and financial factors impact those we lead. Each of us are uncertain and, all to varying levels, fearful of the future.
So, as leaders, we can share the simple message that:
The World is “On Pause”
Our world is not broken. Countries are not warring and destroying each other’s cities, earthquakes are not destroying building, bridges, dams, it is not a hurricane or typhoon wreaking havoc.
No, when this passes everything will physically look as before. Buildings and infrastructure will still be there, we can open our doors and walk out into the world and very little, structurally, will be different.
We will have the opportunity to “hit restart”
This is a powerful message to share when giving a leadership message about the future, as well as the future vision for your business and so the employment and income of your people.
Last week I was talking to a leader preparing to talk to one such global team. They have massively impressed in recent weeks by leading from values, DoingTheRightThing at both a business and human level.
That said, their people are now looking to the future, they want to know about the future, particularly as, with revenues impacted, so many businesses have focussed on resilience by reducing costs, which has meant, where absolutely necessary, impacting employees’ income too.
Such changes can understandably bring fear of the future. The reality, however, is that for many (not all, but many) businesses, much of the drop in revenue is is not “lost”, it is “paused”, clients will restart when it is the right time.
In talking to this leader in advance of their global call, then, the thought: “the World is “On Pause” was one that emerged and felt valuable in leading and supporting their people in looking to the future.
While you must do everything you can as business leaders to look after the resilience of your business and your people financially, do remember to keep your eye on the vision of the future and, for now, share that: