To everybody:
First of
all I hope you and your families / loved ones are well! Health has become a top-most priority just in these days around the world.
We are
currently experiencing a previously unthinkable major disruption of our daily
lives all around the world. I guess we are all still trying to grasp the
magnitude of what is happening – and we do it through a mix of anxiety, fear,
activism, ignorance, slow-down, rejection, anger, acceptance etc…, each in his/her own
way. We are in a crisis.
The Chinese
characters for the word “CRISIS” mean “a point where things happen, change“.
In the Western world, is it often said to mean “danger” and “opportunity”
at the same time.
After being
overloaded with a lot of negative information through media channels, I have
found an inspiring article by Matthias Horx, leader of the “Zukunftsinstitut”
(Institute of the Future). It is really worthwhile taking the time to read and
reflect:
Take a
moment to reflect for yourself: Which inner parts are critical about the
exposed ideas? And which parts react positively towards them? How do you
personally want to behave and shape the time to come during and after Corona?
And what type of behavior do you notice around you?
In this line, revisiting and adjusting your own value system is a very solid and also confident way looking forward. I personally have gone back to my own values several times during the past weeks.
The question is how we deal with the
disruption in times of personal and economic worries.
I see this also as a chance for mindfully continuing to develop and practice (SELF-)LEADERSHIP.
How can
I / we use the (forced) time-out to grow as a person, as a leader, as an
organization and as a society?
Here are
some practical ideas on what to do (I make reference to the U-Theory of Otto
Scharmer):
Level 1:
MICRO (personal)
- Becoming
aware and taking care of own emotional state, allowing for fear, anxiety,
concern without getting overwhelmed
- Boosting
own immune system: vitamins C, D, B12; healthy eating of fresh food; resting;
fresh air (where possible); exercise
-
Establishing a good daily routine of self-care: balance of working and resting
time; attending your personal needs
- Accept
the invitation to slow down
- Reducing
stress by e.g. limiting news consumption, making case scenarios
- Using the
time for new activities: reading a book; writing; mindfulness practice;
creative activities
- Foster self-responsibility
- Foster self-responsibility
Level 2:
MESO (family, work team)
- Allowing
for time to exchange concerns, fears as well as opportunities, lookout
- Physical
distancing while emotionally connecting
- Using
virtual means to create proximity, understanding and care
- Being
understanding and helping each other
- Using the
time to create stronger bonding
- Discover
new talents
- Foster group-responsibility
- Foster group-responsibility
Level 3:
MACRO (company / organization / community)
- Relying
on existing set of values, connection and bonding
- Evaluating
company habits and strategies
- Co-create
on coping strategies, new ideas, re-adjusting for the future
- Prepare
for the (new) situation after Corona
- Give
trust for self-organization
-
Strengthen the emotional bonding to clients, customers, providers, partners
- Foster organizational responsibility
- Foster organizational responsibility
Level 4:
MUNDO (society)
- Help and
support your neighborhood / community
- Live your
own values in society: walk the talk
- Share
best practices on a global level
- Actively
shape the new world after Corona
- Foster
global social responsibilities
Feel free
to share these thoughts with people in your surroundings. It is now up to all
of us, each individual, how we shape the time during and after Corona.
Above all
stay healthy and take good care of yourself and your loved ones.
With warm
regards,
Andreas
__________________________________________________
Andreas
Hauser MBA
Trainer ◦ Coach ◦ Consultant
Global Leadership & Management
Global Leadership & Management
Mobile +49 171 3283067
Karl-Heine-Str. 33, D-04229 Leipzig