Navigating the Tsunami of Disruption | Accelerate Success with Lorraine Moore

I easily recall the 2008/2009 global financial crisis. I had worked in financial services for over two decades and I saw the growing risk profile in the United States, particularly related to consumer debt and the more prudent lending practices in Canada. The downturn in the US and other countries did not surprise me, nor did Canada’s ability to navigate the crisis relatively unscathed.

The impact of Covid-19, now and in the months and years ahead, was not anticipated by many of us. The effects are far reaching and will be long lasting.

I have had a unique opportunity to watch much of this unfold from New Zealand, where I arrived on March 3. Leaders in different countries are responding in different ways. It is interesting to observe. As I write this, NZ has only 20 confirmed cases and yet the panic buying has commenced.

Navigating this large-scale disaster, over the following weeks, months and what I expect will be years of impact, will require each of us to be on our best game.

I have been thinking of my mother-in-law over the last several days, and others who lived through the Great Depression and/or the two World Wars. Those experiences imprinted on them in ways that were often reflected in how they lived their lives, their spending and saving behaviours, etc. How we define that will be unique to each of us.

I have found it helpful to look to courageous leaders from history, to review how they provided inspiration, hope and a beacon for the future while responding to the loss of lives, economic meltdowns, etc. We may respond to different historical heroes and heroines, but reflecting on those we want to model as we take action in these days and weeks, can be helpful.

This disruption will leave a lasting impression on the young people in our organizations, our future CEOs and executives. It will leave a lasting impression on our children. As you navigate the next days, weeks and months, consider what lessons you want to take from this for yourself and your organizations, and what wisdom you want to impart to others.

These are anxiety-provoking times. There will be moments of great kindness and heroics and also, unfortunately, significant losses. As tough as some of these days will be, professionally and personally, let’s hold on to the examples of great leaders before us and model the leadership, community support and parenting for which we would most want to be remembered.

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During these challenging times, we need each other to weather the changing tides. Reach out to discuss how I may support your success. Contact me today.

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