The Blackest of Swans Need Not be So Dark

Wow...you didn’t see this coming, did you? Many of us are reeling both personally and professionally as the world grapples with the Covid-19 pandemic. Some are fearful and scared, rightfully so.  

As others have pointed out, know that we are going through a global health crisis, not a fundamental economic collapse. Certainly, many economies are being shut down - and lives thrown into turmoil to address and curtail the health crisis which is unprecedented in our lifetimes. As painful as this economic slowdown is for us right now, trust that we will rebound as quickly as we fell, once the pandemic is under control. This too shall pass.

And I have some hope in this time of dread and fear. I am impressed with how citizens globally are taking personal responsibility. I am appreciative of how state governments are leading. I am thankful for how our employees, community, investors, clients and other stakeholders are focusing their efforts and showing grit at LeadGenius.

And my hope is also buoyed by looking at my personal history of what’s happened in my life in the midst of prior economic calamity. Here’s that list:

1990 - Savings & Loan Crisis - I entered the workforce post-college not knowing what ‘is normal.’ I contend that the work ethic I developed starting my career in an economic downturn created habits that have allowed me to thrive throughout my career.

2001 - Dot.com Bubble - The company for which I was working got sold, although I think the timing was coincidental. The sale of this company allowed me to take a sabbatical from the for-profit sector and run a non-profit for 5+ years, the hardest and most rewarding job I’ve ever had. It remains the benchmark upon which I gauge every other role I’ve had since, and none have measured up.

2008 - Subprime Mortgage Collapse - I started my SaaS, start-up career as I went back into the for-profit sector by raising $9 million for a healthcare IT start-up. That endeavor was a miserable failure but the path on which I got myself remains a glorious journey.

From a business perspective, I have been surprised at how commerce has continued to thrive throughout each of these prior roller-coasters. The cycle has been an initial shock, followed by a realization of a new reality, and a quick transition into ‘business as a new normal.’ To be honest, I’m already seeing that cycle run its full course at LeadGenius, and the sales and marketing sector in general, in a matter of days-weeks and not months-quarters. From a B2B perspective, don’t lower your expectations or claim you don’t have some control of your success. That’s a defeatist attitude that stinks in good times and will crush you in bad.

So what will come from Covid-19?  

I write to suggest that you stay optimistic and hopeful that good can come from unexpected and horrible events. I don’t know how or what yet, but as I persevere each day to get my family, both personal and business, safely through this storm, I know that there will be an unanticipated change on the other side that will ripple positively through my future. Through our future.

Great things can be born from adversity. Show resilience. Be hopeful.