Pivot and Adaptability are quickly becoming the words of 2020 as we navigate through this pandemic. We had to pivot and adapt how we launched Rehumanizing the Workplace and rethink how best to serve others during this time. We are incredibly encouraged by the response and realize how relevant the content is and how much it’s needed.
After its release on March 24, 2020, it consistently ranked in the top 5 among workplace behavior books and in the top 10 among business leadership books on Amazon; we are beyond grateful for the response and support!
We are even more grateful for the phenomenal group of people from 27 states and two countries who joined our virtual book club.
Following is a summary and key takeaways from our book club discussion.
COVID-19 Has Amplified the Rehumanizing Revolution. With many things changing daily (and sometimes even hourly), one thing is clear; no one will remain unchanged by this experience. We’re either going to be better, healthier, and stronger – as leaders, teams, and organizations or worse. People will remember for years to come how we show up now and in the months ahead. There are countless examples of incredible leaders and organizations anchoring on their purpose and doubling down on humanity right now, and it’s inspiring!
We Need to Recognize the Complexities of What Is Happening. We live and work in a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous) world. This pandemic has shown us VUCA to the extreme. It has thrust us into incredible adaptive challenges (not yet faced, no known solution, and requiring a change of mindset to solve). Yet it’s part of the human condition to seek out familiarity and comfort and put off changes that spark discomfort if we can avoid them. So we have a collective experience right now where our VUCA world is demanding exponential adaptation, yet our humanity is fighting it. Recognize it, name it, and then lean into the discomfort to chart a path through it.
We ALL Get Triggered. The inherent characteristics of our VUCA world and this pandemic trigger our Reactive Mind, where we operate out of fear and self-protection. Yet that keeps us from having the impact we desire in the world. We need to recognize when it happens, acknowledge and own it, and then give ourselves grace. We all do it and need to remember that we are not alone!
Let Go of Perfection. We’re all in unchartered waters. Perfection never existed and certainly won’t start now! So we need to lean into courage. One person said that 80% done is better than 100% in your head. Another reminds us that an imperfect online meeting is much better than creating the illusion of perfection. We need to allow people to have the space to respond to children, family, and life in the home when the home becomes the workplace.
Be a Champion for Humanity and Connection. During physical distancing, we need to be resourceful leaders and be a champion for connection with our teams, families, and communities. With that, here are some things people shared that they want to make sure to take with them in this “new normal” to be able to show up as a leader and advocate for humanity:
- Moving from self-protection to self-reflection
- Greater attention to self-care
- Intentionality with a daily gratitude practice
We ALL have the opportunity to show up as leaders and influence positive change: in our organizations, teams, families, and communities!
Stay HUMAN. Stay connected. Stay safe. Show Up as a Leader.
