The Chinese proverb, “May you live in interesting times,” has never been more poignant than it is now.
Each of us is experiencing significant change whether we like it or not. The coronavirus/COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2 pandemic (even the name keeps changing) makes sure of that. It is the glue that unites us, connects us all.
Recognize that you are going through a LOT of changes right now. It’s not just the change of the pandemic to be present and the concerns for your team, family and friends. There are changes in both life and business every day related to the pandemic. That’s a lot of change at one time.
Change theorist Kurt Lewin talked about change in terms of unfreezing, changing, refreezing. Unfreezing meant acknowledging that change is needed and releasing current behaviors and processes, making the necessary changes, and refreezing with the new behaviors and practices in place. I think it’s safe to say that it’s pretty challenging right now as we’re just beginning to address the necessary changes and something else changes. Things are moving too fast.
It might be more useful to look at it from the point of view of experience, what you are experiencing in the moment. William Bridges put it this way: All change begins with endings, letting go of something or someone, followed by the neutral zone, where you experience confusion and frustration, not knowing where everything is going, and finally, a new beginning. All of this is completely normal.
However, you have to go through that process almost daily, and it can take a toll on you. That’s why it’s more important than ever to keep your focus on the impact you want to have with your business. It directly affects the well-being and sustainability of your business.
Having impact may seem like the last thing you can worry about, and operational issues are likely to take center stage right now. When you’re committed to making an impact in your business, now is truly a golden time.
His focus on impact is an invaluable guide that keeps you on track even when navigating quick changes. Here are ways you and your business can maintain and even increase your impact during the pandemic:
- serve your people. Many of your customers and clients are reeling and trying to figure this out too, whether yours is a B2C or B2B business. How can you help? You can reach out to reassure them and find out what they really need right now. What can you do about those problems? It is a time for service and creativity. Go beyond your usual level of service and even product.
- Think more of others and less of yourself. If he does, he won’t just keep his own anxiety at bay. Their focus on each other translates into a team that can better maintain the business by working together effectively. They are also struggling to make sense of all this change. You can model behaviors and an attitude that will help them.
- Be flexible. As I described around our experiences of change, things are moving fast. Be agile in your response to customers and customer requests. Be open to new possibilities for how your team can work and work together. How can you quickly adapt to what they really need? And how can you adapt again when that changes?
- Offer to help your community. There are members of your community who lack resources and really need your help. How can your business contribute? How can you bring love for your fellow man into this situation?
- seek support. Many government agencies are offering financial support, especially for small businesses. Find out what’s available and apply if you need help. Turn to your mentors – many of us have been through fast-changing situations and have practical advice as well as moral support to offer. We want to help.
One thing that makes this rapid change we are all experiencing unique is exactly that: we are all in this together. I will go so far as to say that we will benefit from it. We are recognizing the value of our connections, that the quality of our relationships matters, and that what we do affects each other. How perfectly this reflects the impact you and your business can have.
By the way, all these skills you’re developing in response to rapid change? They will make you much more resilient in future times of rapid growth and responding to other rapidly changing situations, such as a shift in the competitive environment. You are in a prime training ground to keep your business going right now. Know that everything is good learning.
These times too shall pass. In the meantime, you can be leading the change: a leader in your business and community with the impact you can have. Carpe diem, my friend. Let’s help each other through this.
