Reassess, renew and recharge

Many are happy that the year 2020 is gone. But the reality is that just because we flipped the calendar from Dec. 31, 2020 to Jan. 1, 2021, there will still be challenges that await us.

A glimmer of hope is on the horizon with the vaccines’ arrival. Still, we need to have the sobriety to know that vaccines are not the same as vaccinations and a medical solution is not the same as an economic solution. The pandemic has created systemic damage to the economy and business, and a systemic damage require systemic repair. This is why leaders should make sure that they are ready to face both the new year’s challenges and opportunities. There will be a lot of work to do.

The experiences and memories of 2020 may be painful. We can write it off. The next thing we can consider is to erase it from history, but this would not work. Perhaps one thing we can do to deal with the pain is to pretend it didn’t happen like a bad, old relationship. Shrug it off and deny its occurrence. But all these would be a missed opportunity. Every crisis offers lessons we can learn, and nothing is as big a lesson at this size and scale. We do not want to waste the crisis.

There is a wonderful saying that goes this way: “Good sailors are not made on calm seas.” We now have the privilege of having weathered one of the stormiest years of modern history. This has equipped you to rise above whatever other storm waves lay head. It is to be seen as a privilege and a gift!

Consider the following:

2020 was the year when everybody started to reassess their work-life balance.

2020 has convinced millions that they’re just as productive when they work from home. Some may have found it stressful, but those who know how to manage it are happier.

2020 has taught many to distinguish what is valuable, essential, and what is bling.

2020 has taught us that we have the choice to allow the crisis to make us better, bitter, or butter.

2020 has humbled humanity and taught us that we barely control what happens in the world. The area of control we have is to make a choice: get better or get worse. While the new year is young, we need to consider the following things to do. And if you happen to be in leadership positions, you need to pay attention.

1. Reassess

How was your resilience bandwidth? How about your ability to adapt?

What values did you adhere to and have helped you as you navigated the most challenging days?

How did you do leadership when almost all meetings and transactions were done virtually?

How would you describe yourself today versus the leader you were before COVID happened?

What areas of improvement do you need to work on to enhance your leadership skills?

2. Renew

As COVID-19 dragged, many have found themselves physically tired, emotionally spent, mentally exhausted, and more so the leaders. Leaders have the double or even triple responsibility of providing care and safety for their people, their families, and themselves. Trust me, it’s not easy.

As a leader, you may have discovered that your experiences should renew you to become a more resilient person. And you probably have found that resilience is not what you have. It is what you do. Away from the public view, you now begin to understand that small daily rituals and habits make such a profound impact on how you respond to stress and on your ‘bandwidth’ for coping with situations, your team, and life in general.

3. Recharge

And how are you doing as far as achieving wellbeing is concerned?

Physical – nurturing and strengthening your body?

Emotionally – how is your emotional bank account? Do you still balance positive emotions like gratitude, compassion, optimism, hope, humor, and playfulness?

Mentally – living in the moment. Being less reactive, refusing to be overwhelmed and anxious, prioritizing your commitments, and focusing on the most important?

Spiritually – Reconnecting with your Maker? Nurturing your faith and having a more profound sense of purpose and meaning?

We usually do not change unless we are challenged, and nothing is more significant than the challenge of this pandemic. We will get through this. Even when things in the new year may not become easier, you and I need to be stronger. A better year needs a better you and me. And that is how it’s got to be.

(Connect with Francis Kong at www.facebook.com/franciskong2. Or listen to “Business Matters” Monday to Friday 8:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. over 98.7dzFE-FM ‘The Master’s Touch,’ the classical music station.)