The “corona-resilient” business is a joy to behold

Coronavirus is everywhere, affecting animals, humans and global ecosystems in ways that have made a mockery of our priorities. There’s no longer any question as to whether it is a real health crisis or just an exaggerated fear: in a few short weeks it became our new reality, one we built but didn’t choose. It tests our systems to the limit, exposes our contradictory attitudes and asks us to make real, permanent change. Whether it’s a symptom or a cause, coronavirus may be the trial by fire we fear as much as we imagined.

All businesses, whatever their size and reputation, have to set aside the question “why?” and focus on “how?”. How? The smartest algorithm can’t answer this. There is no best practice. Confronted with this common involuntary humility, some wear themselves out in a futile attempt to use their resources to avoid any losses. Others decide to go with the flow, opting for boldness and agility to allow them to change everything. With physical distancing and isolation the new normal, the corona-resilient business has had to rethink what proximity means.

Resilience and new technology

Mankind has always sought to reduce physical distance, to be at home around the world. As in the allegory of Plato’s Cave, the exit is found hesitatingly, beset by crises, and aided by technology. Coronavirus has attacked the pillars of our structures and our cultures, accelerating the breakdown of our traditional workspaces and tools. Among these tools, new online channels have allowed us to create new ways to interact, more flexible and open, more respectful of personal balance and the environment. Teleworking is here – or, even better, teleperformance! This is a significant achievement, and also a deep realignment with the values and ways of working proposed by new generations, proven right by this crisis.

Resilience and the strength of partnerships

Breaking down the distance in relationships in order to “succeed together” has been one of mankind’s great ambitions throughout history. The pandemic has polarised the attitudes of leaders and led, and tested the relationship to its limits. Tending to these relationships beyond simple shared interest, interacting with confidence, generosity and vulnerability allow a different and possibly truer relationship to emerge. Each person can find their preferred place in the relationship. Coronavirus shows us the importance of strengthening our relationships so that together, interconnected, we can help each other to be resilient in the face of this challenge.

The corona-resilient business has never been stronger, or more of a joy to behold. In the eye of the storm, where fears and doubts are rife, it takes the decision to live, inspire, engage and show solidarity in the hour of need. Now “make it happen!”

Original article (in French) Agefi (16 March 2020): https://agefi.com/actualites/acteurs/lentreprise-corona-resiliente-est-belle-a-voir