The privilege of our human connection isn’t really apparent until we are thwarted the opportunity to physically connect. Or forced into more physical proximity with people we’re not used to working around.
We have watched major life shifts happen in a matter of days. Just today, Denver has been placed on lockdown. It seems difficult to understand something that we can’t see until we notice that it is harming our world.
It feels strange and awkward. Some people have said that they are going to treat this time like a holiday or a Spring Break.
It isn’t a holiday. This morning I had to go to the Post Office to pick up a letter that needed a signature. There weren’t long lines like one sees during our holiday season. There was just me – standing and waiting to be the first person so that I could get in and out before others came. I was lucky. The post office employee saw me standing there and opened the side window so that I didn’t have to wait another 10 minutes. I was grateful and thanked him for serving our community.
It is the small gestures that matter right now.
I’ve been thinking a lot about how we can provide hope.
On Sunday morning, while drinking my morning coffee, I came across the video of the Marriott International CEO, Arne Sorenson.
Sorenson shared his personal struggle with cancer and also shared a discussion about whether or not he should make the video because he had lost his hair. The visual message, along with the reality of our current troubles, were thought to be too much in this time of crisis. He pushed back and made the video anyway.
This gave me hope because of his ability to share the truth transparently.
During his message, Sorenson was transparent about the company’s financial situation.
Some of the employees were interviewed after watching his message. His transparent truth telling seemed to generate hope. He was telling them the truth about their situation and telling them the steps that they were taking to help mitigate the downturn for Marriott.
He shared that neither he nor Mr. Marriott would be taking a salary for the rest of the year – he shared that they are also cutting their executive salaries. Even though he could be scrutinized for how high their salaries are in the first place, he chose to share and, in turn, was leading with transparent truth.
Transparent Truth Telling builds trust by taking away the cloak that hides what has been happening – and everyone already knows. It begins to level set and brings us closer together. It highlights the fact that some of us are able to stay home – stay safe – trust that we have a job tomorrow while others can’t sleep at night with the same assurance.
I am hoping that we can all find ways to move more toward the middle. There is enough – care – resources – optimism – focus – creativity – if we are willing to share. We must be able to transparently accept the truth and then share it with others. Our business decisions must move beyond the scarcity scenario of our COVID-19 grocery store debacle. There can be enough for everyone when we must shift our mindset. Give back – Give to – Give always.
Sorenson closed his message with a salutation that caught my attention and may it catch yours – “I wish you a sense of optimism.” In times like these, may optimism be generated by seeing others give – in small and large ways – and reflecting on how we can do the same.
