6 Observations (So Far) from the COVID-19 Outbreak
1. We have more in common than that which divides us. At our core, we want health, safety, and opportunity for ourselves and the ones we love. In moments of collective hardship, it is beautiful to watch our common humanity transcend political party, tribe, race, gender, or any group that might otherwise divide us. Serving in the military, every day I see men and women of every race, socioeconomic background, political party, and sexual orientation unite to wear the same uniform and pursue a common cause greater than each of our individual differences. May we remember this common ground when life returns to normal and we are tempted to forget our shared humanity.
2. Leadership matters, and we can all be leaders. At times like this, where the future is uncertain and fear can easily grip us all, we long for leaders to provide clarity, reassurance, and hope. We want leaders that are calm under pressure (even while panicking inside) and are willing to make tough decisions with imperfect information and no easy solutions. Whether one is leading a country, school, hospital, or family, leaders that can rise to these types of occasions are not built in a day. It may seem that they become leaders over night, but I’m convinced they rise to the occasion because they have cultivated—over time, in good times and bad—an ability to lead themselves. It is a reminder that we must “sharpen the saw” daily, as Dr. Stephen Covey would say, to be at our individual best when our best is most needed.
3. Fear is contagious, but so too is courage. At one time or another, we all feel fear. The true test is how we react to it. Do we ignore it, suppress it, or lean into it? As Nelson Mandela once said, “[C]ourage [is] not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” Courage takes many forms. Winston Churchill said, “Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak, and courage is what it takes to sit down and listen.” In moments like these, we have seen courageous healthcare providers make themselves vulnerable to the virus to treat strangers, expecting nothing in return. We are seeing business owners give employees time off and shut their doors for the greater good, knowing it could mean the end of their business and livelihood. And, we see families across the world subject themselves to the guidance of medical experts, choosing to stay home and forego their daily routines in a collective effort to “flatten the curve.” As Doris Kearns Goodwin highlights in her book, Leadership: In Turbulent Times, “Great necessities call out great virtues.”
4. Life is precious and unpredictable. A few months ago, very few people could have predicted the widespread impact of COVID-19 on our daily lives. Similarly, on January 26, 2020, people all over the world stood in shock as they processed the tragic loss of 41-year old Kobe Bryant and his 13-year old daughter Gianna. With enough money and modern technology, it seems there is nothing we can’t predict or control. Yet, these recent events remind us we are all mortal human beings subject to the unpredictable twists and turns of life. It is a reminder to put first things first, not to take for granted the fleeting moments we get with the ones we love, and to define success for ourselves, not spend our lives chasing someone else’s definition of success. It sounds cliché, but life is truly short, and we ought to make it count.
5. We don’t choose our circumstances, but we can always choose our mindset. Ryan Gottfredson, PhD, author of the book Success Mindsets, makes a compelling case that successful people cultivate four distinct mindsets—growth instead of fixed, open instead of closed, promotion instead of prevention, and outward instead of inward. So much of our experience is shaped by our way of thinking. For example, studies show that practicing gratitude can make you happier, yet many of us have it backwards—we wait until we feel happy to express gratitude. In times of adversity and difficult circumstances, the more we cultivate a growth mindset the better. Those with a growth mindset place priority on learning and growing. Thus, they strive to put themselves in positions to maximize their development instead of avoiding challenges or getting frustrated when adversity strikes. Ultimately, they see challenges as opportunities to advance and progress and remain optimistic. In the present moment, we also see examples of individuals adopting an open mindset and an outward mindset. Those (like me) that originally thought concerns about COVID-19 were overblown, are now open to changing their minds with better information about the gravity of the situation. We see individuals less vulnerable to the coronavirus looking outward by foregoing their liberty for the greater good. We also see groups finding ways to help those most vulnerable to allow them to remain isolated and still have what they need. While our circumstances are not ideal, we still have the power to choose our mindset, and our mindset can improve our future circumstances.
6. When all else fails, where shall we put our hope? I am not pushing my faith on anyone, but it is only natural to share things we love or find meaningful. As a lover of food (I certainly live to eat), I am quick to share my favorite restaurants and coffee shops with my friends. However, because many have had negative experiences with religion and church, I am often hesitant to openly share my faith. At times like this, I am thankful that someone shared with me the love of Jesus when I was in 9th grade. My faith in Jesus gives me hope in something beyond this world, even when all other things—the government, economy, markets, businesses, people, health—may fail.
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