With all us of feeling the extensive impact of the Corona Virus, there has never been a more important time to stay connected and share hope. That is why I’ve decided to write to you all on a monthly basis and offer inspiring stories of leadership that may spark some joy in this time of uncertainty. Wherever you are in the world and whatever your position at work, I aspire to inspire by sharing my anecdotes and providing stories of triumph and leadership at its best. I’d like to start with something that happened to me last week…
I was at the grocery store keeping the necessary distance away from the person in front of me. My shopping list was substantial as I’m not shopping very often.
A gentleman took his place in the line behind me with only a kilo of couscous and a sprig of parsley. Observing my overpacked shopping cart, looking concerned and somewhat agitated, he asked if he could pass in front of me. I summoned him forward and agreed, of course, then he looked at me with a sheepish expression and explained his request. He’d forgotten that we were all in quarantine for a moment and slipped into his usual, hurried default mode! The realization that he was no longer in a hurry had dawned upon him after he had requested to move forward, and he was feeling quite embarrassed and aware of his addiction to do things quickly! I could see the recognition of his actions in his demeanor, so I reassured him that this was totally normal. We were all having to adapt to this new style of conducting our every day lives and I went on to explain that speed can sometimes be our enemy.
During the quarantine we’re all experiencing now, we have an opportunity to slow down and reflect upon what we’re doing, how and why we’re doing it.
I encourage you to endeavor to react with conscious responses every time, rather than unconscious reactions. When stressed and under pressure this is sometimes hard to execute. With some practice and attention to how you react, there is room for growth and improvement. Conscious responses help us be successful by design instead of successful (or unsuccessful!) by chance. Practice the skill of control when reacting and allow for pauses before responding to the people around you, whether that be family members or work colleagues, remembering that facts are our friend and speed can be our enemy!
We are all conscious of what our lives were like pre-quarantine. We are presently experiencing many shifts throughout quarantine. Let’s ensure that life after quarantine is different, which means modifying our behaviors and habits for a better world together.
Want to share a positive Covid-19 quarantine story? Are you experiencing changes in your behavior at this current time of world crisis? If so, please contact my team and I at: hello@leaderlikeyou.com
*Remember, a story shared may just inspire a fellow human somewhere around the globe. If we receive and post your experience as part of our next newsletter you will receive a 30-minute coaching session with me personally. Let’s build a leaderlike community and remain connected for conscious creation of our next, new world.
In the meantime, please enjoy this upfront and inspiring video of Arne Sorenson, President and CEO of Marriott International. His heartfelt, factual and humble speech is an impeccable example of leadership during this global crisis. Forbes magazine have titled this Delivering bad news face to face.
Stay at peace with yourself, at peace with others and be leaderlike! Thanks for reading my first newsletter, I look forward to connecting next month,
Robert