Caring in a Time of Covid

We have entered the fourth week of a personal and global crisis of major proportions.

My heart has been aching for everyone affected—from my favorite Conche Restaurant across the street to my startup and cash-strapped clients.

There are simply no words to make us all feel better. Asking the right questions and simply listening can be the best tonic.

Yet some companies are loading their message channels with constant chatter—sometimes daily.

If you’re like me, you have received loads of these canned email messages from your utility companies, retailers, lenders and hospitality companies.

In the first two weeks of the crisis, every message sounded identical: “We know it is a difficult time, and we are here for you.”

Others—even some of my author and consulting peers—turned up the marketing volume to unprecedented levels, rendering themselves tone deaf.

For example, one CEO distributed a self-promotional “tips” video, speaking and gesticulating at caffeinated levels. They wore a pricey designer suit, blasted rock and roll background music, and showed zesty scenes from their keynote speeches.

A wise person said “when the water is low, the rocks appear.” And we will continue to see both jagged and smooth rocks peppering the pandemic landscape.

Please don’t be a tone-deaf order taker.

It’s time to stop creating insensitive or me-too messaging and start making something meaningful. Our new ways of connecting will separate the marketing “order takers” from growth champions.

If you would like to learn how growth champions build commitment to their customer continuity plans, and create more white focus and white space, join me on April 14 from 10:20-11:20 am ET. I will be co-leading a session with change management expert and author Daryl Conner on “Leading Teams During Rapid Change.” This is a Members Only session. During this challenging time, we are opening the meeting to our long-time followers; no fee. Contact Callyn and secure your Zoom room details.

This shift in how we position our companies, and how we communicate, could be permanent. It’s going to call us to take the high ground, to empathize in ways we never dreamed, and to maintain a positive, forward-looking, yet patient emotional state.

My most resilient clients are adding more time to their meeting agendas to simply listen, and help people connect and express their grief. We are witnessing a global collective grief. And it needs time to speak.

Are you giving it time to speak?

I could have included dozens of resources in this week’s newsletter to help you do your part to flatten the curve. Or to volunteer where you’re needed. Or to apply for an SBA loan.

But I promise I won’t. That would be bombarding you with more busy work.

Instead, I encourage you to clear some time on your calendar, and ask three questions:

• Who do I need to be during this pandemic moment?
• How do I create some white space for self-care and reflection?
• How can I be of service to my stakeholders and loved ones?

Warrior pose, Bend OR, 2014

In my latest post, I outline four distinctions between the order takers and growth champions. I think of these champions as humble warriors—a term I borrow from my 19-year yoga practice.

As my friend Eric Kaufmann says, “our collective addiction to crazy busy, and the productivity porn it yields, will cause our healing to take longer and our pain to run deeper than it has to.” I couldn’t agree more.

How else can I help you right now? I’m here if you need me.

Copyright 2020, Lisa Nirell. All rights reserved.

Related Posts:

• Stop Messaging, Start Making Meaning: The Secrets of Growth CMOs
• Coronavirus Crisis Planning: Take These Steps to Lead from Strength
• The 3 Essentials to Rapid Recovery Planning