How does your perspective shape your reality and impact your business?

There are a couple of ways to look at the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business and life. What we know for sure and the perspective we bring to our circumstances are not always the same thing.

What we know for sure:

• COVID-19 has had an impact on the world at large
• People are getting sick, some are dying
• Some businesses are shutting down or losing money
• Some employees are being furloughed or let go
• Things are not the same

Meanwhile, some businesses are booming and seeking additional workers – especially in distribution, delivery, and retail grocers. Some people are getting mild cases of the virus and others are surviving difficult cases. Front-line workers are going above and beyond to care for us.

The Great Pause – A perspective that sees this shut-down or slow-down as an opportunity to:

• Reboot, reassess, examine values and priorities and what matters to you personally and professionally
• Innovate and work smarter – to adapt to new circumstances. Think Industrial Revolution and how the workers at the time likely felt completely displaced and didn’t know what their “new normal” was going to look like – life went on, but things were not the same.

Your perspective matters – What you say about the situation, what you focus on, makes a difference in how you move forward. We certainly have many emotions about the circumstances but it’s our mindset that determines what comes next. Do you dwell in fear, loss, worry, lack? Where will that path lead for your business and life? A shift into looking at possibility, opportunity, adaptation, and innovation is the powerful place to lead from to powerfully move forward.

I spoke with a business leader recently who had to completely restructure their in-person client conference with 4000 people, since they could not travel and meet live. They worked around-the-clock to shift 1200 learning sessions to an on-line platform. In fact, she said they used a combination of five (5) platforms to handle everything from online registration to virtual breakout sessions. As she said, “it wasn’t pretty, but we served our customers!” Now that’s innovation and a positive mindset to keep moving forward. They have created a new format to build upon for the future, as well.

I also recently spoke with a non-profit leader who is rethinking how they deliver their community services. Rather than rely completely on schools and corporations to supply their volunteer force, she is putting together plans to bring the volunteer base in-house. Schools and businesses are reluctant to take on potential liability of assembling people in this state of uncertainty, so this smart leader is looking at innovative ways to continue to meet the organization’s mission.

I have also spoken with a business leader who, unfortunately, has adopted the fear and victim perspective. She is feeling paralyzed and angry, and that perspective is taking a toll on her company and her team. All these leaders are facing the “what we know for sure” circumstances, but their differing mindsets make a big impact on how they do, or do not, move forward.

I encourage you to look at your mindset. What are you focusing on? How will that impact your business and your life going forward? I am passionate about working with business owners, leaders, and teams to focus on what really matters and to move forward through these circumstances. Sometimes a sounding board is just what you need to get back on track. Reach out to me to schedule a 30-minute conversation to talk about what’s going on for you and your business.

by Kim Ellet, CPC, The Growth Coach of Metro Atlanta

Kim Ellet is a certified professional coach and owner of The Growth Coach of Metro Atlanta. She finds joy in helping successful leaders committed to continuous improvement, be more of who they are, dream bigger dreams, and accomplish more than they realized was possible.
www.TheGrowthCoach/Atlanta.com