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Possibilities & Priorities
December 15, 2020
By Rupal Sankalia
A year ago, the early days of December would have been filled with party-planning, family get-togethers, gift giving, shopping, vacationing and a year-end buzz of activity. Who would have thought that December 2020 would be a world changed of priorities, but also a time of unfolding new possibilities?
Unbelievably, this year was largely held hostage by something no one could easily see, hear, taste, smell nor touch. However, once you experienced it either personally, in your family, or in your society, Covid-19 made sure it had all your attention. It succeeded at the impossible: there was one conversation in all households, globally. Nearly overnight, we counted on each other to do the right thing. That, when no one was looking nor having to ask, we washed our hands, kept 6 feet/2 meters apart and donned a mask to keep each other safe. There was a common expected behavior. This was ethics, compliance and (self) governance: CDC Guidelines.
Hindsight
Covid-19 brought the world to a near-halt just as we were gaining speed into the 21st century. While the globe continues to manage the spread and contain outbreaks, the experience of this pandemic has dissolved illusions of economic security and exposed both fragile and entrenched social structures. In the US, we were hyper-focused on the news reporting on the unexpected, across media segments: political, environmental/weather, social justice, healthcare, economic, technology, entertainment and sports. The repercussions of inadequate socio-economic-political systems were stark and for many, a matter of life or death.
In the beginning, while self-isolating at home and trying to manage the day-to-day realities of basic needs, I wondered when things would get back to normal. I appreciate now how priorities have been reset. Essential workers have rightfully become our every day heroes. The public sector and private sector had to work in collaboration. Where would we be without the sanitation workers, the food service industry, the healthcare professionals, teachers, public transportation crews, First Responders and so many more that kept communities intact?
They maintained the hope and continuity of normal life in communities and societies. Without their courage and sense of duty, how could the other industry and businesses survive? How will this experience now reshape all these industries for the better in the future?
Gaining clarity
As time went on, I scanned the media reports for innovations. The old normal was not enough, and the old adage, “necessity is the mother of invention” rung true. Businesses are rapidly adjusting to keep their employees and clients safe, but the critical pressure due to social justice fissures are giving way to expose deeper socio-economic inequalities. There are possibilities to address what is obsolete and broken and create stronger and more inclusive systems. Evolution and resiliency were the calls to action for 2020. They will most likely continue into the next year as we address these challenges:
More than ever, businesses are shifting and adjusting with nearly no notice. Instead of working in silos or perhaps entrenched in limited goals, are there possibilities to elevate and holistically upgrade norms? Our current circumstances were not imaginable at the end of 2019. It is important to encourage conversations of new operational possibilities at the organizations’ board-level. Management can inspire and lead conversations to find inventive solutions and invest in a workforce for the future.
Envision
The results of these past months can teach us what can be improved upon. The year 2020 has focused our priorities on health/wellness, family, communities working together, reliance on technology-based solutions and, on the same level, access to the basic necessities of food and a safe place to live, work and learn. Moving into 2021, these priorities invite us to explore and tackle the possibilities for businesses and communities to thrive in the near future, and the long-term.
The next graduating class is entering a workforce changed, so how do businesses prepare? What are the emerging new careers? Most importantly, how do you sustain hope? Let me help you plan for a better and improved 2021. Rupalia, Inc. is a minority, woman-owned business providing advisory and consulting services in the Ethics, Compliance and Governance industry. To learn more and partner together to address these changes visit www.rupalia.com.
Wishing you and yours Happy Holidays, and safe and healthy 2021! Cheers to a better new year!
Unbelievably, this year was largely held hostage by something no one could easily see, hear, taste, smell nor touch. However, once you experienced it either personally, in your family, or in your society, Covid-19 made sure it had all your attention. It succeeded at the impossible: there was one conversation in all households, globally. Nearly overnight, we counted on each other to do the right thing. That, when no one was looking nor having to ask, we washed our hands, kept 6 feet/2 meters apart and donned a mask to keep each other safe. There was a common expected behavior. This was ethics, compliance and (self) governance: CDC Guidelines.
Hindsight
Covid-19 brought the world to a near-halt just as we were gaining speed into the 21st century. While the globe continues to manage the spread and contain outbreaks, the experience of this pandemic has dissolved illusions of economic security and exposed both fragile and entrenched social structures. In the US, we were hyper-focused on the news reporting on the unexpected, across media segments: political, environmental/weather, social justice, healthcare, economic, technology, entertainment and sports. The repercussions of inadequate socio-economic-political systems were stark and for many, a matter of life or death.
In the beginning, while self-isolating at home and trying to manage the day-to-day realities of basic needs, I wondered when things would get back to normal. I appreciate now how priorities have been reset. Essential workers have rightfully become our every day heroes. The public sector and private sector had to work in collaboration. Where would we be without the sanitation workers, the food service industry, the healthcare professionals, teachers, public transportation crews, First Responders and so many more that kept communities intact?
They maintained the hope and continuity of normal life in communities and societies. Without their courage and sense of duty, how could the other industry and businesses survive? How will this experience now reshape all these industries for the better in the future?
Gaining clarity
As time went on, I scanned the media reports for innovations. The old normal was not enough, and the old adage, “necessity is the mother of invention” rung true. Businesses are rapidly adjusting to keep their employees and clients safe, but the critical pressure due to social justice fissures are giving way to expose deeper socio-economic inequalities. There are possibilities to address what is obsolete and broken and create stronger and more inclusive systems. Evolution and resiliency were the calls to action for 2020. They will most likely continue into the next year as we address these challenges:
- What creative collaborations can industries design to support working parents at home as they juggle workplace stressors and virtual schooling?
- How do organizations deliver social support systems for essential workers to protect them?
- When is the appropriate time to return to the office? And is it necessary?
- How does an organization translate in-person team building to a virtual environment? Or, does it matter?
- What tools and resources will your organization provide managers to coach their teams? Pandemic Fatigue is real at all levels of an organization.
- What industries will need to up-skill and retrain their workforce for new policies and procedures?
More than ever, businesses are shifting and adjusting with nearly no notice. Instead of working in silos or perhaps entrenched in limited goals, are there possibilities to elevate and holistically upgrade norms? Our current circumstances were not imaginable at the end of 2019. It is important to encourage conversations of new operational possibilities at the organizations’ board-level. Management can inspire and lead conversations to find inventive solutions and invest in a workforce for the future.
Envision
The results of these past months can teach us what can be improved upon. The year 2020 has focused our priorities on health/wellness, family, communities working together, reliance on technology-based solutions and, on the same level, access to the basic necessities of food and a safe place to live, work and learn. Moving into 2021, these priorities invite us to explore and tackle the possibilities for businesses and communities to thrive in the near future, and the long-term.
The next graduating class is entering a workforce changed, so how do businesses prepare? What are the emerging new careers? Most importantly, how do you sustain hope? Let me help you plan for a better and improved 2021. Rupalia, Inc. is a minority, woman-owned business providing advisory and consulting services in the Ethics, Compliance and Governance industry. To learn more and partner together to address these changes visit www.rupalia.com.
Wishing you and yours Happy Holidays, and safe and healthy 2021! Cheers to a better new year!