Same Storm, Different Boats

As we navigate the stormy waters of our world today, we hear that we are “all in this together”.  That implies we all have the same concerns and issues through the unprecedented pandemic our world is facing.  As we get further into this, we are discovering that is not necessarily the case.

​More recently we are starting to hear that we are “all in the same storm but in different boats”.  This is based on varying levels of circumstances and situations including physical and mental health issues, safety, security, financial and employment issues, social interaction, and working, schooling and childcare from home.   We also come into this storm with different perspectives, risk tolerances, susceptibilities, resources and coping mechanisms.  Some are hanging on to edge of the lifeboat by their fingertips while others are in close quarters on a large ship with illness spreading among residents.  Still others may be on a more comfortable yacht, with some good days in spite of uncertainty… but even they are dealing with the issues of this changed world, figuring out what the “new normal” will be and how to get there.

This is stressful in different ways for different people and has certainly slowed and hurt many businesses, industries, and the overall economy.  As we adjust to the current situation we must adapt as new information comes at us daily and a phased return to “normal” is implemented. 

No doubt change will be continual over the next 12-18 months.  Determining how we will operate during this time will be a learning curve for everyone.  As we begin to hear specifics of a what a “phased approach” to reopening looks like, we need to think intentionally about what we can be doing now, in this phased interim period, to begin to operate in a “new normal”. There are different dates and rules in different regions. There is a caveat to all plans that we go slowly and only implement next steps if things go well with the current phase… There is a risk of backsliding on progress made to date if we jump in too fast. There is no easy, right answer here, we must learn and adapt as we go. Testing, for lack of a better word, will help us evolve and adjust as we move forward.

Flexibility, patience, respect, empathy, and listening with intent to truly understand others who may have perspectives that vary from our own has never been more important.  This is difficult during times of stress and anxiety, so self- care and awareness is an important skill to cultivate.  

We will likely need to reevaluate and reprioritize. We will certainly encounter new challenges and obstacles. We will consider multiple possible scenarios for the future. Discerning current, relevant, accurate information from among the noise will be challenging but critical. Learning to work from home brings an opportunity to connect in new ways, leverage technology, streamline and reduce or eliminate activity that is not productive.

Businesses need to think through both a near-term transitional strategy as well as long term objectives. Approaching this interim period with an open mind, considering a variety of possible scenarios, pivoting, and adjusting to immediate circumstances will position businesses to weather this uncertain period.  Managing costs and efficiencies may be critical to staying afloat in the near term, so that a longer-term plan for success can later be implemented. Financial challenges abound, but an opportunity exists to build goodwill and create a stronger foundation built on sincere care and connection with employees and  customers.

A thoughtful, intentional approach will help position businesses to weather this storm and prepare to ease re-entry.  Simultaneously considering how to adapt to longer term more permanent business and industry shifts will be key in positioning organizations to survive or even thrive coming out of this period of uncertainty.  We won’t just flip a switch on this and go back to the way we were, and each boat will take a slightly different path back to the shore.  Considering the state of our individual “boats” in this storm will be critical in allowing us to safely dock our boats onshore, with the end goal of returning to a better place, the “normal” that will be our future.