Humanity Gains

I’ve been doing some fairly low key and, being honest, a bit non-committal journaling over the last few weeks, and I’ve also had the privilege to listen to many people’s perspectives on this ever-shifting situation we’re in, mainly through my work. It’s all of this that’s led me to share some findings. Not fact, not news, no big inspirational direction…just my own opinions on what I’ve noticed about work and life over this time, especially on what we've gained.

The quotes used are taken from some people who I have a huge amount of love and respect for, you will know who you are and hope you can forgive me for polishing and paraphrasing them a little around the edges ready for public consumption! ;-) 

Presence

“I feel like I’m less pressurised and rushed whilst still sorting out the family with all of us constantly in the house.”

I know there are countless amazing people working so, so hard to care for us; to keep us well and keep us fed and many of these people probably don’t necessarily have the same extra time that others who are working reduced hours or on furlough leave do. 

The time factor aside, the lockdown has provided many opportunities to pause, slow down and notice more of what matters to us. This may be doing some daily things more mindfully, such as cooking and eating a meal. How many of us in the past have been sat eating whilst watching the TV, checking our phones and having half a conversation with a family member?! In the last couple of weeks, I’ve learnt to cook or bake five new meals and immersing myself in this has helped me become more mindful because I’ve had to concentrate on the job in hand, and I’ve been calmer as a result. 

People I’ve spoken to have said that they have a better grasp on who they are, what makes them tick and what’s truly important as a result of being more present. They’re also more conscious of what may trigger fear, anger or sadness and can therefore manage their responses more effectively.

Together

“I’ve enjoyed spending so much time with my loved ones, real quality time and it’s encouraged us to commit to more of that in the future.”

We’ve been connected on such a different level over recent weeks; connected nationally and internationally on the symptoms, impacts and measures taken around COVID-19 – all trying to learn from each other. On a more local level, communities have assembled to create local support groups for more vulnerable people or to celebrate together; our NHS and VE Day. Personally, I’ve been to more socials with more people in one month than I would have done in six months normally thanks to Zoom!

A number of businesses, like Specsavers who I work for, have brought their inherent care for their colleagues, customers and their communities to the fore – doing the right thing to keep people safe, well, informed and looked after – and pulling together as a collective to do this. I’ve experienced unrivalled commitment and concentrated efforts to a common cause in recent times.

I now know why the phrase social distancing doesn’t work for me; we’re actually completely socially connected right now through all these means, because as humans we need this. We are simply physicallydistanced right now.

Stripped back

“I’ve been stripped of all the things I thought made me who I was, and I’ve actually come to know and love the stripped back, vulnerable human being that I am.” 

I always wonder if I could be one of those people on ‘Ben Fogle’s New Lives in the Wild’, the folks who seem to be living a much simpler life with less stuff, less interference, less information and are contented as a result. I’m not saying we’re by any means on that level, but with the absence of holidays abroad, going out for dinner and visiting friends it does somewhat force you to reacquaint yourself with what and who is in your immediate vicinity. I’ve definitely reconnected with music and with gloriously long conversations with my husband – we’ve learnt things about each other we hadn’t yet uncovered in 14 years!

Stripped back is not just a term I’d use for this sort of stuff though. One thing that stands out from a work perspective is the different types of communication I’ve seen from businesses. I don’t mind saying that I’ve been moved to tears on various occasions over recent weeks, not through worry or fear, but through a genuine connection that I’ve felt with the company I work for, and this has been down to what I’d call ‘stripped back’ communication from our leadership team.

What I mean by this is communication that has had all these key ingredients, and more: -

• Honesty (brutally sometimes)
• From the heart 
• Personal disclosure
• Not 100% polished 
• Definitely 100% timely
• Factual
• Supportive
• Hope giving
• Celebrating the small wins

For me, this goes such a long way to helping people stay as focused as possible on what matters at any given time. 

Adaptability

“I’ve seen and valued the momentum that can be achieved with a focused, empowered group of people, giving a concentrated effort to make quick decisions and get stuff done. And the stuff is innovative in many cases.”

We’ve seen some brilliant, quick and smart innovation in recent months, and this will continue for many more to come as we venture into ‘new normal’. 

I was delighted that one of our semi-local pizza restaurants started delivering DIY Pizza Kits on a Friday because, of course, their restaurant is closed. Your sourdough base ready for rolling and your toppings ready for throwing down all brought safely to your front door for as little as ￡12 for two. I’d never have order takeaway pizza from them as they were just a bit too far away so now, I’m an extra brand advocate for them, as is half my village! (Forno Pizza in Bournemouth FYI!) They’ve adapted in the short term to build followers for the longer term.

We’ve seen people adapt and take risks to emerge as leaders as they’ve taken skills, talents and passions and applied them to the current situation to volunteer, set up support groups or enhance their business services. Amazing what we realise we’re actually capable of when there’s that extra bit of context or need, or when we’re not bound by the day-to-day constraints. 

In adapting, trying something new, taking a different path and doing what feels right given the situation we often make new contacts (be that friends or customers) that will continue to be supporters as we move into a new phase and new experiences that we want to build on in the future.

What about you: -

• What have you gained so far from lockdown that you want to take into the next phase? 
• What will you be sad or nervous to let go of once we move into a new normal?