Critical Opportunities viable in distress (COVID) – 2020 & Beyond !!!
By Dr. Karthik ND, Mind Works International
Life is all about the choices we make, and it all lies in the way we see things. Perhaps, we all might have comes across this analogy in life, and it’s worth revisiting this at this period of our life.
Many years ago, two salesmen were sent by a British shoe manufacturer to Africa to investigate and report back on market potential.
The first salesman reported back, “There is no potential here – nobody wears shoes.”
The second salesman reported back, “There is massive potential here – nobody wears shoes.”
This is one of the best examples of how a single situation may be viewed in two quite different ways – negatively or positively.
Are we all similar to one of the salesmen, where some would see problems and disadvantages and others would see opportunities and benefits?
Has this pandemic taught us many lessons, made us realize what’s important in life; ways and means we should be ready to adapt?
What are the Opportunities we see or create during these tough times which will help us to move forward to face the future?
An ancient Hindu Quote says, “It takes a thorn to remove a thorn”, would a COVID – CRITICAL OPPORTUNITIES VIABLE IN DISTRESS be a tool to overcome COVID-19.
While clinical solutions are being worked out for those who are infected by the virus, for others who are affected economically and psychologically, finding new opportunities amid challenging scenarios is the only way forward.
People talk about a “New Normal” post-COVID-19, however, we all know it’s not going be normal, where the abnormality is going to be the name of the game.
While people are fighting with the invisible enemy, it’s not much different from the battlefield, when the armed forces fight in distressed conditions, which largely has the following scenarios:
· Volatility
· Uncertainty
· Complexity
· Ambiguity
Volatility :
It’s not only a volatile situation in terms of infected patients, but volatility reflects all over. Be it economy, business, career, basic needs such as food & medication, the resources and systems are mercurial.
Uncertainty :
With Vague scenarios of recovery, it’s quite obscure in terms of measures to be taken for the way forward.
Complexity :
Multiple issues interlinked, leading to nowhere.
Ambiguity :
The dubiousness which prevails all over life and business as a whole, where it’s no more the next big thing, but an ambiguous next minute or day towards survival.
Whatever happens, life has to move on, and to foresee the viability of critical opportunities in distressed conditions would be the beacon for the future.
It would be quite daunting to deal with the current scenario; how do we foresee opportunities for the future?
As like a smooth Sea Never Made a Skilled Sailor, only these VUCA scenarios bring out the best in people, especially leaders who have the following characteristics:
Vision & Viability:
Vision is the “Strategic Intent” of leaders, where, especially when it comes to situational leadership, this is balanced towards protecting its people, as well as the business results, include stakeholder interests. It captures the essence of success, is stable over time and is deeply motivating to the organization at all levels, to create viable opportunities for rebound and
Understanding:
Understanding the situation, stakeholders, and the core and fundamental values that they bring to other employees, ownership, customers, vendors, and everyone else that they will come in contact with while working for your business. Resilience comes from within, and amid any situation, having clarity on the Strengths is key, based on which future will be built. It’s the same spirit Japan had after WW II, to rise like a phoenix after being burnt.
Collaboration, Courage, Creativity & Confidence:
Success is always teamwork and collaborating with multi-stakeholder to create what’s needed for the situation and the future, overcoming the complexities is essential. This could be the most important attribute while addressing distressed conditions. At the same time, Courage to take bold decisions to walk the untaken path, and applying creativity to create new products and services, are essential leadership traits.
Adaptability:
As we know “It’s not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change”, where the understanding “Survival of the Fittest” rightly, is just to evaluate how adaptive or responsive to change by any individual/team and Organisations, determines not just survival but also success and growth.
Leadership is key in all such critical times, and whether you manage yourself or ten or millions, the essentials of leadership are similar. Leadership too adopts an 80-20 Rule, where 80% is the attitude & authenticity and 20% is skill & knowledge. Transparency and Trust create long term engagement and creates a sustainable model. It’s the leader, capable of applying required efforts, develop self-belief, create opportunities, and ensure resilience and growth.