10 ARTICLES NOT TO MISS FROM MARCH 2020

From July 2019 onwards, I had decided to highlight the most interesting and inspiring articles that I found on LinkedIn each month in order to give them higher visibility. I took this decision due to findings on the current algorithm on LinkedIn, which is relevant with regard to highlighting the best posts but relatively weak while highlighting the best articles. I find these to be the result of a much more thorough approach, thereby creating a greater editorial added value. The month of March 2020 is obviously marked by the health and economic crisis of Covid-19, and 100% of the articles published since mid-March are devoted to this subject, overshadowing some good articles published in early March, particularly on the occasion of International Women's Rights Day. I recommend for instance the article ‘This Women’s Day, it’s Time to Talk about Men’, by Ana Botin (click here).

Having said that, this month I preferred to concentrate my selection on 10 posts bringing a somewhat more optimistic reflection on this crisis the world is going through or with varied perspectives of leaders across the globe. As with every month, please do not hesitate to comment with quality articles I may have missed that you would have wished to add to this list.

1)   CHOOSING OPTIMISM IN THE FACE OF CRISIS (click here)

We begin with a perspective from the healthcare industry, as Novartis CEO Vas Narasimhan writes about his experience and learnings while leading efforts to find a cure during the H1N1 pandemic and how those lessons are applicable today. He expands on his belief that human resilience and science-based action rise to the occasion when humanity is most in need.

2)   COMING TOGETHER TO COMBAT COVID-19, by Satya Nadella (click here)

According to the Brunswick Connected Leadership report(2019), “Employees see value in their leaders communicating more transparently and readers of the financial press will turn to social media to see how a CEO responds to a crisis or an emergency.” This letter from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella to the employees is an example of transparent and firm leadership in difficult times, reaffirming commitment through actions to the mission of the company when challenged.

3)  CONQUERING FEAR THROUGH PERSISTENCE AND TENACITY, by Paul Drewitt (click here)

Paul Drewitt provides a refreshing perspective on values to learn in order to build resilience within oneself, with examples of inspiring people ranging from Madonna to Lee Brown who have overcome hard times, armed with a sense of purpose and persistence.

4) FINDING MORE MEANING IN THE CRISIS, by Deepak Chopra (click here)

Leadership depends on external factors such as health but also on the sense of control and stability within. Deepak Chopra, founder of the Chopra Foundation expands on this theme, detailing how to find your sense of control at a mental and emotional level during this time and how to find positivity and meaning even in this crisis.

5)   TO MEET THE CRISIS: ACCESS YOUR TEAM'S BEST IDEAS, Marla Gottschalk (click here)

 Organizational psychologist Marla Gottschalk urges us to use this time to remind ourselves of the link between resource constraints and innovation. While the world must rapidly adjust to the challenges in order to continue to deliver goods and services, innovation comes to the forefront as a game changer. She cautions us not to overlook possibly existing sources of innovation around us while we search for solutions.

6)   PRAGMATISM AMIDST PANDEMIC: HOW SINGAPORE HAS AIMED FOR BUSINESS AS USUAL IN THE UNUSUAL TIMES OF CORONAVIRUS, by Paul Polman (click here)

 During the recent ICC Board meeting, the Vice-Chair of the ICC from Singapore was invited to share insights on the effective approach Singapore used in order to flatten the curve and contain the spread of the virus within the territory (till date). Through this article, several general learnings are shared that can be applied from Singapore’s rapid action despite an early onset of COVID -19, while simultaneously attempting to keep regular life operational for its citizens. The article also provides useful resources and reading material regarding steps to tackle the virus at a macro level.

7)   THE THREE BIGGEST QUESTIONS WE NEED TO ANSWER NOW, by Ray Dalio (click here)

Ray Dalio (Co-Chairman of Bridgewater Associates) poses three questions he believes needs to be answered now, as part of his series of articles ‘Changing World Order’. He speaks about the need to reengineer capitalism in order to ‘increase the share of the pie and divide it better’.

8) THINK AND LIVE POSITIVE, by Jacques Attali (click here )

When faced by a deadly virus, humans may need to relearn forgotten feelings – gratitude, empathy, admiration and altruism. Jacques Attali, President of Fondation Positive Plant, provides ten concise lessons on how to defeat not just this virus but other challenges that threaten humanity in this age.

9) THE EYE OF THE HURRICANE: LEADERSHIP IN THE AGE OF COVID-19, by Arianna Huffington (click here)

While the requirement for strong leadership has never been more clear than at this time, Arianna Huffington(CEO, Thrive Global) provides valuable insights on how to navigate through the challenge presented by COVID-19 to the world.

10) THE CORONAVIRUS 'PLAN FOR A PLAN,' PLAN (click here)

Dr David Katz, a board-certified specialist in Preventive Medicine/Public Health, reflects on the onset and potential to prevent the current pandemic as well our current options as society. He supports the need for a plan to guide our future actions in understanding and containing the impact of the virus.

Finally, in case you are interested to read well curated content regarding Coronavirus, please do follow Nicolas Thompson, editor of ‘Wired’ to see his daily posts on the best coronavirus related stories he has read each day (click here).

This month, we took a break to reflect upon the circumstances we find ourselves in individually and as a society. I hope to see you next month with April’s selection, but until them I hope you all will stay home and in good health and above all to remain mobilized to support all those who are fighting on the front lines to limit the devastating effects of COVID 19.