At times of crisis I am always amazed at the number of positive stories that always emerge. During this crisis as well, it is important to reflect and smile by the positive stories of how people are giving back and businesses are pivoting to meet immediate needs. There are initiatives being implemented that were previously thought to be impossible, adjustments being made at speeds previously unheard of, communication happening that seemed impossible, families spending quantity of time together previously thought to be impossible, and families being strengthened through necessity. Instead of hunkering down and turning inward these leaders and people are scanning and understanding needs and adjusting and working on solutions. Then immediately implementing those solutions to positively impact lives.
The examples are many, heartwarming, and inspirational….
Athletic Wear Company: Switched to manufacturing hospital grade face masks.
Mid-West Small Business Contractor: Continuing to pay his people and having them volunteer to meet needs in the community.
Automakers: Switched over manufacturing facilities to make respirators, ventilators and face shields.
Luxury Accessories Manufacturer: Switched to produce single use hospital coveralls.
Truckers: Working many hours to make sure critical products continue to be delivered.
Restaurants: Using Kitchen and Staff to produce meals for kids.
Stores: Providing Curbside Pick-up for Orders.
Many Companies: Donating Safety Glasses, Face Shields and other Personal Protective Equipment they had in stock to hospitals and medical teams with needs.
Schools: Adjusting and figuring out how to do on-line education.
Universities: Adjusting and determining what is really needed to graduate seniors.
Families: Spending much more time together and deepening relationships with each other.
Parents: Being more active in their children’s education as they figure out on-line at home school.
American innovation and ingenuity are alive and well. During crisis we have always sucked it up, stepped up to do what is needed, and figured out how to survive and thrive. This crisis is no different.
Is your business stepping up and looking for solutions to these new problems?
Are you communicating and engaging your team to figure out how to help others?
Are you and your team together preparing for the new normal?
Are you using this crisis to try new things, deepen existing relationships, develop new relationships, strengthen your personal development, learn new skills, and stretch in new and different ways?
Crisis like these define us. We either become a coward too scared to act or we become a hero who, even though we are scared, act and change the world.
Be a Hero and Act, even though you are scared, even though the future is uncertain, even though you feel like you are going through a thick fog, even though everything you know seems to be changing.
Be a Hero and Act and lead others to take the needed action so together we can impact the world.
The choice is up to you. Choose to make this your finest hour!
