With so many changes in our lives resulting from the pandemic, there are undoubtedly new challenges ahead. They might involve re-opening businesses, re-launching, or merely adapting to shifts in our personal lives. It is also the time to take a hard look at how we lead and how we handle chaos and crises while we set the course for an unprecedented transition.
The Edge Magazine may have had a familiar sudden adjustment experience to many. We had been preparing to print our spring issue when COVID-19 started to spread across Ontario. Without hesitation, we decided to put our publication on hold, including our summer issue. We quickly implemented available contingency plans, including working from home where possible. At the same time, we remained mindful of how we interact with our clients and employees, consistently maintain communication lines, and avoid the risk of letting our company culture fall apart.
While everyone has their own story and the extent to which they are affected by COVID-19, abrupt change can be frustrating and even traumatic. Surely, we’re already familiar with those experiencing deep feelings of confusion, helplessness, hopelessness, and depression, among other overwhelming effects.
Despite the widespread loss of income, unresolved financial commitments, and mass social upheaval, there are numerous lessons that we can all learn from this. We cannot be cavalier and continue to do things as before, merely survive, or try to make ends meet without sustainable strategies. Predictably, this situation will require ongoing adjustments for a long time.
As such, a good suggestion is to identify some real benefits from this pandemic period. It sounds unbelievable, but it’s possible: prepare for future growth and development. As leaders, we must be vigilant, more focused, innovative, creative. Explore new and exciting business opportunities – diversify – to generate more income.
Let change be one of your strongest allies, and know it can visit you at any time. Retreating from difference is not an option, as there is no security inside our bubble. Transition or adjustment in any form should not be a singular occurrence; it must be a continuous cycle to avoid being knocked off-balance when we least expect it.
Tap into your hidden corporate talents and gifts. Engage in deep, uplifting, meaningful conversations and meetings. Strive to offer improvements, whether it’s in daily interactions, communities, or business goals.
On an inter-personal relationships level, perhaps this is a reminder of much we’re all in this together and how much we all need each other. It’s the perfect time to mend fences, build (or re-establish) relationships with family members, peers, employees, and clients.
We can all share some time and resources to elevate someone else’s life or standard of living. It is incumbent on us to seek new ways to navigate together through this period of uncertainty.
Along those lines, it is fitting to talk about and thank some of our provincial and federal governments, frontline, and essential service workers who serve as role models during this pandemic. They extended their time and efforts to provide valuable resources and to be of service in the capacity they lead.
And as the second wave looms globally amid a cascade of turmoil, it is always delightful and uplifting to read and listen to the many and individual stories of selflessness, grace, and empathy.
But hope has arrived. While we welcome new and powerful vaccines to help in the quell of COVID-19, let’s remind ourselves that this too shall pass.
Jennifer M. Williams | Editor-in-Chief
