Lockdown measures are in place for – more or less – two months now. Easements have started in most European countries, though we still live with strong limitations and obey distancing rules. We all had to realize how vulnerable we were, and this may brought us together. We tend to be more sympathetic, tolerant, and also more cooperative. At least, at the moment…
We can get through it somehow and get away with the worst. This is the basis that keeps us on the track. But wait: what is it that we would like to get through? What track?
Our performance based, highly competitive and – let us be honest – highly individualistic world has been shaken. We all got a slap in the face. We were forced into our homes, and to cut back on our needs, such as our habits. We had to transform our daily routine. And got a very short deadline…
We tend to believe that we are smart and strong, we can adjust and adapt, to accommodate all kinds of changes and it is us who can drive changes, ourselves. We feel powerful and confident, almost undefeatable…. But only ‘almost”… Here comes a small creature, a mysterious virus and forces us to our knees… Yes, it did.
Cooperation has become the only way out. The only way not just to contain the virus, but also to minimize the social welfare loss and maintain a reasonable level to start from. Yes. Start. As we most probably cannot continue from where we stopped.
Those who had to experience the different circumstances but had to continue with their work, have now a new experience, which, at least, gives them a new variable to consider. Those others, whose work was disrupted, may experience that there is no way back… But there should be a way ahead…
We all are hit this way or that, so none of us is alone with our problems. It not just makes us sympathetic, but also eliminates a part of our fears. Interestingly, though we worry about the future, in general, the fear of failure, meaning not be smart, responsive, quick, good enough – however you characterize it – seems to be gone. As now anyone can fail. Even those, who are loud and seem confident. Consequently, we are not alone, and more and more of us realize (again) that cooperation can multiply energies, ideas, efforts, and thus, also the outcome.
We received quite some homework, a lot to learn. If not to learn, then to refresh memories… So far, so good. But as time flies, there might be some people, who would not proceed with the homework. Either because they do not want, or because they are not capable, for any reason. This may give rise to new issues that need handling…. And may put us on the test how committed we are to the new (renewed) values of ours…
But let us leave it for a separate post.
