A lot has been said and written about COVID-19, potentially changing the complete landscape of humanity as we know it. As the Coronavirus second wave is right around the corner, we see lives lost, hunger, and widespread poverty, mismanagement, and lockdowns being reimposed everywhere.
However, I believe everything is a learning curve, and here are three things Coronavirus taught us.
Denial means death
Coronavirus surfaced in international media around mid-December, when an outbreak in Wuhan was the talk of the town. WHO- World Health Organisation is a body responsible for sharing correct information about any potential pandemic scenario. However, WHO was in denial until January about the spread of viruses and misled numerous countries about the outbreak. The WHO failed to obtain, vet adequately and share information in a timely and clear fashion. WHO floated the idea that there was no human-to-human transmission happening despite clear proof to the opposite. WHO’s denial lead to the epidemic spreading to almost every country in the world. Countries didn’t have preparation time to fight the virus, and deaths soon followed. We all face problems in the office. Sometimes we mess up, sometimes our decisions are not to the point, and sometimes we have to announce unpopular measures to firefight. It’s okay to mess up, but it’s not okay to live in denial. Remember this.
Criticism is essential
We have always praised the excellent health-care system of the first world nations. The United States and Great Britain have always been applauded for their quick response to their citizens’ health needs. However, COVID harmed the countries with an outstanding health-care system more than the average third world. Why? Because every system is flawed. Nations, which can digest criticism, act on it. Countries who love honking the ‘greatness tag.’ never evolve. This is an important lesson again. Embrace criticism and stop calling everything you do as ‘great’ and ‘masterstroke.’ You will only grow as a leader if you can identify and act on your mistakes.
Adaption is Survival
Entrepreneurs and even fortune-500 firms are facing bankruptcy scenarios because of Coronavirus. Global trade has taken a hit, and most of the offices are sealed due to the fear of virus spread. Businesses are moving at snail’s pace, and the economy is on the brink of total collapse. However, some firms are using this opportunity to transform the working structure and adjusting to the situation. Companies are recommending work-from-home policies that are giving much-needed flexibility to employees. Firms, which are able to bring new working policies, are gradually regaining lost grounds. This is a fundamental leadership lesson. Not all situation is favorable. I’ve personally witnessed so many aspiring entrepreneurs closing down and moving on because they feel they’ve lost everything. However, there is one thing you can never lose, and that is ‘your journey.’ If you can adapt to critical situations and adjust your journey whenever there is a roadblock, you will never fall.
