2020 HINDSIGHT: PARTICIPATE TO PROGRESS

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Every year in the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day, I reflect on the previous year and consider the year ahead. This year is no different although the year itself has been very different. Or has it?

We had a pandemic, which is thankfully extremely uncommon: Three per century on average since the year 1700 according to the Centre for Infectious Disease, Research and Policy (CIDRAP). This makes 2020 pretty different. However, as with every year, our personal and collective response to adversity has been key.

“Be the first to understand; the first to adapt and respond; and the first to overcome.” Commando Mindset

The Royal Marines, and the All Blacks have a similar philosophy when it comes to facing adversity. The Royal Marines emphasise the advantage of adaptability, while the All Blacks drill performance under pressure. Both train to win. I like to reference both as benchmarks for exceptional Mindset (belief) and Mood (culture or climate).

My method for managing 2020 involved participation in order to progress. Below I reflect on how that manifested in three key areas:

1. Family

2020 necessitated adaptability as we faced home-schooling for our children, home-working for most adults, and home-worship for faith. The impact on family life has been a significant topic of discussion this year. One thing is for sure, collaboration and communication at home required participation in order to progress. If everyone played their part, progress was made. We added a dog to our family of five this year so 2020 will be the year our home family grew to six!

For the work-place family, there is no doubt 2020 was tough. However, I am proud of our collective effort to help each other, to stay in touch, and to continue to help our clients navigate the storms of this adverse operating climate. Participation and progress has been different but distinct. The collective “never-quit” attitude will pay dividends down the line

2. Fitness

I have always believed that true health is true wealth, and that a healthy body helps a healthy mind. As gyms were forced to shut down this year, we were faced with a choice; stop training, or adapt our training to wherever we could workout away from the gym. CrossFit Aberdeen were excellent at maintaining virtual-class-coaching via Zoom. They also maintain a daily leaderboard to help the community recognise and participate in personal and peer progress over time. Another upside in 2020 was less travel, and therefore more time to train at home. I introduced a fasting approach to my nutrition and the benefits have been positive. This will be the year I learned (to) “fast”!

3. Facilitation

As a performance guide, much of my influence with leaders and teams used to be provided in face-to-face conference room environments. In February 2020, Exceed ran a DWOP for 100 people in Mexico City! But with office meetings being shut down virtually over night in March, we needed to embrace the digital transition to remote collaboration, or get left in the proverbial dust. Participating in the journey to effective virtual facilitation has been a steep learning curve but an immensely rewarding one. The following areas of focus have been progressed to a point of good practice:

  • Video Conferencing as standard
  • Webinar Series done
  • Monthly Podcast ongoing
  • Virtual Workshops for campaign-team readiness
  • Virtual Executive Coaching
  • Virtual Giving to charities via various means

In the process of supporting a Charity Iron Man and several Virtual Workshops in 2020, I have had the privilege of meeting and working with two true rugby legends and British & Irish Lions Captains; Martin Johnson and Gavin Hastings. If someone had told me I would have met and collaborated with both of these giants 12 months ago, I would have barely believed it, but by seizing every opportunity that emerged this year, I am humbled and grateful to have met and been inspired by both of these “Talismen”!

My 2020 hindsight has provided valuable foresight for 2021, and the decade ahead. Probably the most transferable point is that in order to progress, even in a pandemic, we need to participate. Many talk about the digital pivot this year. Lets stay involved to play our part in the pivot while also still putting people first. Show up, show kindness… Show must go on.