I’m sure a lot of people are feeling this way as COVID-19 continues to impact our communities, but today, I needed an outlet, and one way to do that was to sit down and write. So below are my thoughts about the current moment, how to view our situation, as well as a bit of a pep talk on how to shift my mindset.
We at McCann Partners are fortunate because we have offered a remote working model since our inception almost eight years ago. That said, it is with heavy heart that we now are all required to work remotely due to what is happening around us with COVID-19. And frankly, when a decision is made for us, versus us making one for ourselves, accepting the new reality can be challenging. This certainly holds true for me – and my team. In fact, just this morning, we spoke about it as we work through this new “new” together.
As I was reflecting on what brought us to this lockdown, it occurred to me I have seen something similar to this time and time again.
Over the course of my career, when I connect with candidates who have had a change in employment that is not due to their own decision, most times you can hear it in their voice. What I mean by this is that I am able to detect disappointment, hurt, frustration, anxiety, and more, as they try to find what their new normal is going to be. They are feeling like the rug has been pulled out from under them with a loss of power and an inability to control a situation, not to mention a sprinkling of discomfort and fear around the uncertainty before them. Many are even wishing for a crystal ball for insight on the journey.
Today, all of us – including our candidates and consultants, clients and prospects, and loved ones – are in this same position. For me, one of the most important things I can do as a human (and leader), is to own the feelings I am having. To acknowledge and accept, as gracefully and patiently as possible, that our new normal is here: but it is not forever, just for right now. What this may mean for many is navigating shared home office spaces, kids embracing e-learning from home, other loved ones working from home, etc.
My belief is that the more we can wrap our arms around it – giving grace and support to one another and ourselves – the more successfully we will navigate through it.
And, the cherry on top is that the perspectives we glean will help shape what is to follow. While we currently are in trying times, we have the power (and capacity) to shift from dwelling on the unknowns to thinking out of the box, creating, reinventing, pivoting, building, being, etc. – the possibilities are endless. When one door closes, another opens. I encourage you to shift your perspective and embrace this new normal as opportunity.
Sending support and healthy wishes to all.
