COVID-19 is surreal. As the epidemiologists have said, “The Coronavirus is here to stay.” This implies that what we need to start doing from now on is adapt. Every day new situations await us that require us to adapt.
COVID-19 is the first pandemic in history whereby technology and social media are being used on a massive scale to keep people safe, productive and connected while being physically apart. Access for all is a human right and will become vital for the future of telemedicine, digital education, and working from home.
COVID-19 really highlighted some of our strengths and weaknesses. Strong political leadership meant New Zealand has been able to preserve human life, and our country has been singled out as a global leader in our response to COVID-19. However, it also highlighted that some areas of our economy need to improve their digital capability.
A common motto in Silicon Valley is, “Fail Fast.” This encourages companies to come up stronger after a crisis, like this one, and inspire them to take risks and understand consumers better. It will be key to make people consider that our brand is honest and that our proposal is more than simply a sale. Both aspects, taking risks and acting fast, while being honest to customers is crucial for companies.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, the health of our relationships have magnified and polarized as a result of being locked indoors with family or flatmates 24/7 for weeks on end. Cracks in a strained relationship have become chasms and love and creativity have blossomed, where the base was strong before.
I will try to be less obsessive with cleaning. I will follow the Japanese greeting tradition. Shoes outside the house, no kisses and hugs, which will be very difficult for me being Latin. Just a cordial greeting keeping our distances. Strange thing but it needs to happen, unfortunately.
Post-virus time I will be stepping out and speaking out more on the business-unusual: respect business for what value it brings to the people and the planet and support its growth according to the natural rhythm. Everything is alive and takes its due time. We should treat leadership development and sustainable business as such as well.