Covid-19 Next Steps
In August, I will celebrate 15 years as a Business Coach. I was side-by-side with my clients during the lows of the Great Recession and the highs of the last several years, but never could have foreseen what we now face.
Just like my clients, I’m confident you stepped up over the past several weeks to ensure the safety of your team while doing your best to conserve cash flow. It was a fire drill, an adrenaline rush, and a tsunami of information shooting at us from all directions. Most of us were so busy figuring out new laws, new loan options, and new technology that we didn’t have much time to process what would come next.
Now comes the challenge of reopening under circumstances that are difficult and sensitive, at best. And, even if everything goes well over the next few months, we still can’t predict the days ahead. Will there be a second wave? Will customers come back? Will a vaccine be available early next year and return us to some semblance of normal? We just don’t know. And that’s what concerns me. Not only has the playing field and all the rules have changed, but they will continue to change for the unforeseeable future.
As I mentioned earlier, in most cases, the initial adrenaline-filled response to the virus was nothing short of miraculous. But as time goes on, all leaders will have to grapple with the energy drain and emotional toll of managing the unknown. To be blunt – this will be more like running a marathon than a sprint and require a completely different set of skills beyond firefighting.
So, what does that look like? Based on our conversations we believe, in addition to focusing on cashflow and operations, successful leaders will also be:
These are the conversations I’m having today and will continue to have as we all move through these exceptional times. If you have a question or would like to talk through any challenges, my door is always open. And, whether you’re a client or not, it doesn’t matter. Just pick up the phone or email me and I’ll be glad to help.
I wish you health and a clear mind as you navigate these waters.