Corona And Being The One Person

“Never forget that you are one of a kind.

Never forget that if there weren’t any need for you in all your uniqueness to be on this earth, you wouldn’t be here in the first place.

And never forget, no matter how overwhelming life’s challenges and problems seem to be, that one person can make a difference in the world.

In fact, it is always because of one person that all the changes that matter in the world come about.

So be that one person.”

Buckminster Fuller

It has been amazing to watch the mental impact on many people over the last few weeks as the Coronavirus has moved around the world.

The uncertainty and volatility brought into the financial markets is just one example of the consequences to this phenomenon. People in Australia fighting over toilet rolls in a supermarket is another!

When things become more uncertain, most become more fearful.

And what we will see now in the coming weeks and months, is that fear creates other problems.

And it’s easy to forget the impact that you alone can have even in the midst of global disruption, that seems out of your control.

Over the last week I’ve seen people handle the current ‘reality’ very differently.

But the best I’ve seen all have one thing in common.

They act like that ‘one person’ in the above quote and make changes that really matter.

Simple things like:

• Connecting with staff personally to listen to their concerns and helping to calm their minds.
• Encouraging others to look for the ‘opportunity’ in the uncertainty
• Reaching out to retired neighbours to ask if they can help in any way
• Asking for people’s understanding of the current situation and challenging mis-information
• Encouraging people to still go about their lives while being extra conscious
• Creating ‘worst case scenario’ plans, for peace of mind, but then getting on with the work at hand – aggressively.
• There is no doubt that there will be an impact (some of it tragic) from the coronavirus but the reality will be different to the hysteria.

And in the midst there is opportunity.

Real leadership starts with acting like that ‘one person’ – and it’s nothing to do with title or status.

This week, maybe you can consider, both for your work and life, this question:

Where is it the opportunity to act like that ‘one person’ for you?

Best,

Shane