To the incredible and brave healthcare workers who carried us through this year and the pandemic. They brave the storm at the frontline every day to help others. True leaders in their lives and an inspiration to us all!
As with last year, I do want my final article to be one of hope and encouragement. Because as an entrepreneur and business owner, I want to believe that the best is still ahead. Challenges and all, I shall overcome. But it is more challenging to recap a year that’s been as punch after punch for everyone and yet still very unifying. Isolated in our homes and slowed down as we have been, we still have much to celebrate and much to be thankful for this year.
Some of us finally got to take that vacation (staycation) we’ve always talked about. Some of us finally got to spend more time with family. Others had time to work on their fitness goals, while others have been stuck in unfortunate situations for far too long for or are having to confront some dark truths about themselves. The domino effect of big picture decisions have affected everyone’s lives tremendously!
Our shared challenges have brought us closer (literally). We often hear about how we are all one family, one human race but here we are going through the same thing at the same time across the globe. And even in a country such as ours that’s largely reopened and resumed life as normal (with caution) we still feel the effects across the globe. In areas like travel, manufacturing, trade, advertising, industries are suffering and quick studies are showing that these effects will take up to 2022 and beyond to recover from.
I don’t have to tell you the kind of situation we’re in; we’re in it! How we handle this, however, really determines the outcomes. I don’t fancy myself a spiritual guru as much as I do a student of life and coach of leadership. So I’m going to recap this year the best I can, with lessons I believe we can all take backward, forward, sit on, act on or let marinate further for when the time comes to make a choice. Listen up:
- Enjoy living while you can. I don’t have to say this twice. I’m sure once the world opens up we all have bucket lists of things to do. And all the things we took for granted, we’ll be just a bit more grateful more e.g. the smile of a coworker saying “Good morning”.
- Use a firm grasp with people, not force or brutes. You catch more flies with honey.
- Be more conscious and deliberate about how we lead. Actions and words have impacts. Be mindful.
- Listen, understand and use the feedback given.
- Strive to be a better you daily.
- Operating with empathy puts you and keep you ahead of the competition.
- Create a vision that everyone can get behind and you won’t leave anyone behind.
- Address trust-related issues tactfully as soon and as often as possible.
- Focus on the Wildly Important Goals, not the urgent goals.
- Leaders must nurture the entrepreneurial spirit with their people and within their organizations.
- Everyone needs coaching and/or mentoring in life.
- A professional coach is a must-have ASAP (email inquiries here).
Happy holidays and see you again soon InshAllah!