Our businesses and our lives have been greatly affected by Covid-19. Some people have had great struggles to contend with. For some others this period has had some positive aspects as they have avoided the commute and enjoyed more family time.
We are now faced with the gloomy predictions of Great Depression-like economic slumps and massive job losses. Yet there is hope. And opportunity. The opportunity for us, as a society to change, and an opportunity for each individual to make changes to their lives and create a better balance.
Nobel Peace Prize winner and social entrepreneur Muhammad Yunus reminds us that pre-Covid wasn’t actually that great! Although it seems a lifetime ago now, at the beginning of 2020 many of us were protesting for greater climate change reform. Many more were deeply concerned that we were running out of time to reverse the damage we have inflicted on the planet. Extreme weather events had become commonplace. AI and technological disruption were already causing seismic shifts in employment. Mental health issues were on the rise. And global inequality was already obscene. Is that really the world we want to go back to?
An alternative to ‘new normal’
To me the ‘new normal’ everyone talks about smacks of compromise, limitation and lack. Muhammad Yunus suggests that we should not be planning for economic recovery post-Covid, we should redesign the economy and, therefore, business from scratch. I couldn’t agree more.
There are encouraging signs of a reset. The city of Amsterdam has embraced economist Kate Raworth’s Doughnut Economics, a blueprint for redefining priorities as they rebuild after lockdown. Raworth’s model moves away from our toxic obsession with growth and seeks to solve humanity’s 21st century challenge; how to meets the needs of all within the means of the planet.
The need to adapt
We need to adapt. And as we adapt, we need to define what we want this ‘new’ to be, and move towards creating a work/life that provides a healthy balance.
Our embrace of home working and digital solutions is unlikely to recede completely even once a vaccine is found. But, how do we maintain connection and develop strong, resilient and empathetic cultures when people no longer travel to an office or share physical space? This will be a particular challenge as we move into a lower-touch reality; adapting to social distancing regulations, more temporary lockdowns etc. Customers will be more cautious when it comes to physical contact, enclosed spaces and large gatherings. Being less connected poses a danger to our happiness and mental health. So, maintaining a connection must be part of our new lives and new business models/ethos.
Forget new normal, we need ‘New Balance’. Human beings are social animals. It’s no coincidence that the businesses and governments that have fared best during Covid have been led by kind, empathetic, open leaders such as Jacinta Arden.
What can you do to achieve a ‘New Balance’ for your business?
- Start by focusing on the human-beings within the business and help them find a balance that works for them and for you. Happy, healthy employees with a sustainable balance between their work lives and their home lives will always be more productive, more loyal and stay in the business longer. The business that succeed are those that recognise the human element of their teams and customers.
- Develop systems that recognise we need low physical touch, but high human interaction if we are to remain safe and also connected. Human connection is key – we buy from humans, we are inspired, motivated, loyal to, and supportive of humans – not faceless companies. So, make human connection the key focus – within the parameters of safe physical distancing. Perhaps this means more communication, or picking up the phone rather than emailing, arranging group Zoom calls, sharing personal anecdotes, and perhaps most importantly, helping both staff AND customers find a new balance in their lives. Share what you’ve learnt, share the processes that work. Maybe even encourage your customers to join you in them!
Here are some practical steps to help make this ‘new balance’ a reality in your business and in the lives of your staff, your customers – and yourself:
- Eradicate unnecessary work. Take some time to consider what’s really important in your life. If something doesn’t add value at work or at home, eliminate it from your life. Focus on what matters professionally and personally. Focus on what makes you happy. And make these things the priority.
- Master your mornings: Start your day from a place of positivity. Focus on what you want to achieve that day and take a minute or two to remind yourself what you are already grateful for in your life. Write down six things you are grateful for, and six things you absolutely must achieve today. Then use these as your focus for the day.
- On your commute, or while you eat your breakfast (if you no longer commute) read an inspirational book. For example, ‘Meee in a Work Minute’ has 60 one-minute nuggets of wisdom including life hacks, advice, insights, science, short exercises, and thought experiments to ensure you start the day with positivity and confidence. Another great book is A. C. Grayling’s ‘The Meaning of Things’ which had a profound impact on my life. There are dozens of great books (some with audio versions) so pick those that resonate with you.
- Take time out, every day to get outside, ideally in nature or a local park. Walk, pay attention to what’s going on around you. Don’t cut yourself off from what’s around with music, audio books or podcasts. Instead, notice the trees, the bird song, the change of the seasons. Take this time, even if it’s just a few minutes, to learn how to just ‘be’. Listen. Think. Spend time in silence.
- Connect with people you care about – at work and at home. At work seek to find ways to maintain some of the flexibility that became essential during Covid-19. Honour both the human being and the employee. Use the tips above to help maintain a connection and to find a balance that works for both your business/work and the home lives. At home, talk to each other, eat together as a family. Maintain the strengthened bonds facilitated by the pandemic.
Businesses that have adopted empathetic and human-first approaches are the ones moving forward in difficult times. The businesses that will thrive in the new economy are going to be the ones focused on building community and fostering belonging for customers and employees.
We need to get to a place where human collaboration is valued above competition. Kindness over aggression. An appreciation of the simple, human things that are most important.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sid Madge is founder of Meee (My Education Employment Enterprise) which draws on the best creativity and thinking from the worlds of branding, psychology, neuroscience, education and sociology, to help people achieve extraordinary lives.
To date, Meee has transformed the lives of over 20,000 people, from leaders of PLC’s and SME’s to parents, teachers, students, carers, the unemployed and prison inmates.
Sid Madge is also author of the ‘Meee in Minute’ series of books which each offer 60 ways to change your life, work-, or family-life in 60 seconds.
Web: www.meee.global
Web: www.meeebooks.com
Twitter twitter.com/Meee_HQ
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/MeeeHQ/
Instagram www.instagram.com/meeehq
YouTube https://youtu.be/fISupZWZMQc
TEDx https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bR3Cyjs62c8
