Disruption Debrief: Four Key Takeaways from Covid-19
For the past 24 months, COVID has been ruling our lives with an iron fist and we were unable to break any ground. This has changed with emerging vaccines and the reduction of distance by modern technology.
After doing some research, here are some things we can learn from the pandemic:
Communication Matters!
At first, it seemed like a dream to work from home, go to school from home, and just, well, be at home. But soon after curing any sleep deprivation, reading, cooking, watching every television show, listening to song after repeated song, and staring at other family members (including our pets), loneliness took hold. I am an extrovert, so the pandemic was a definite struggle for me. It did prove one very important thing and that is man is not meant to thrive alone and in isolation! We are social beings and meant to communicate with others. Therefore, every technological social outlet prospered during the pandemic. We took the word “virtual” to a new level and many took the opportunity to re-invent themselves, their relationships, businesses, finances, professions, education, and family gatherings. Now that we know how important human interaction is, we cannot ever take it for granted again! We also learned that a little creativity goes a long way!
Family is What You Make it!
It is the absolute same with family! Even though there are many families that saw so much of each other they got aggravated after-a-while, there is no escaping the fact that family mattered. It was nice to know you had someone with which you were literally fighting for life with. The saying about having each other’s back and pulling together in rough times got new meanings when we all began fighting an invisible enemy that was taking no prisoners but a lot of lives! For many, the pandemic, with all its doom and gloom, forced us to look at our family members as people to treasure instead of mere problems or responsibilities. What is the overall take-a-way? Love your family, even if it is extended or not made up of blood but by way of friendship, affiliation, or location. No matter the circumstance, the people we call “family” became lifelines and a means of survival through the pandemic. It would do us all good to remember that once the hustle and bustle returns and our busy schedules resume. Every minute counts and we should all live life with appreciation and determination to enjoy every second with people we love.
Working From Home Can Actually Be a Good Thing!
Before the pandemic, it was a dream to work from home. Those types of jobs were far and few to obtain. Whether it was employer’s mistrust of employees, need to micromanage, or just control issues, many businesses would not allow their employees to work from the confines of their home. The pandemic changed all that! It also changed the way employers looked at their employees and the way all of us do business. What we all promptly found out is that the lines of home and work can overlap into something great or something hilarious. How many people wore dress shirts while still donning their pajamas? How many of us gained a new respect for our jobs and were ready to leave the house and re-enter the workplace just to get a change of scenery? No matter the take-a-way here, and there are many, the overall lesson was that many businesses could still function well without their employees in a brick-and-mortar location. All you virtual employees out there who conquered their jobs during the pandemic instead of the pandemic conquering you… give yourselves a round of applause!
Save, Save, and then Save Again!
We learned in the realm of business and personal affairs that saving for a rainy day was not just an old term our grandparents used to throw around. Even having 6 months of savings was not enough during this pandemic. Now, those of us who are wise understand that a few years of savings is worth its weight in gold! Businesses learned that they should always be ready to adapt and have 2-3 back-up plans should their normal business protocols fail. Individuals learned that learning how to survive, adaptation and compromise, storing, saving, frugality and preparation are sometimes a matter of actual life or death.
The pandemic taught us all something and one thing is for sure, as a global family, we will take those lessons with us into future generations to come. Hopefully, we will all be a better community for it.
About the Author
ee Wells is the Manager of Marketing and Communications for IACET. In this capacity, she oversees IACET engagement opportunities and external collaborations through the maintenance of consistent IACET branding across marketing and public relations channels. Dee directs internal communications, press releases and speeches given by executives, as well as oversees IACET’s Web or Social Media presence.
Prior to joining IACET, Dee worked in a variety of fields within the field of Education for over 15 years. She has had the honor of working with military spouses on the Military One Source project for several years and has been an Educator in the classroom in both Adult and Secondary educational venues. In the field of Marketing, Dee has worked in Real Estate as Director of Marketing and as an Associate Broker for custom home builders in the Southern region.
Dee graduated from Talladega College with a B.A. in English/Journalism is currently earning her Master’s in Strategic Leadership from Jakes Divinity School.