Whether you believe COVID-19 was a “pandemic” or a “plandemic” there is one thing we know for sure: There will undoubtedly be another one. The fear being spread by the media about the “variants” virtually guarantees it. We’ve seen how the government responded to this “crisis”, but what about the next one?
The lockdowns and mandates outright killed tens of thousands of small businesses in the United States. In California, 30% of all restaurants have closed in the past year. Permanently. Tens of thousands of other businesses have been weakened to the point where they’re hanging on by a thread. The next time we see another “crisis” these one-mandate-away-from-bankruptcy businesses, and the jobs they provide, won’t survive either.
It’s obvious (to me at least) that doing what we did for this one isn’t a viable way to handle things when the next one happens. There needs to be a better approach.
If you’re a person in charge, or plan to be one, you’re in luck. I’ve got some advice for you. Just follow these simple rules and you’ll be well on your way to managing your next crisis. Here’s the good part, the hints listed below aren’t specific to handling a global pandemic. They apply to just about everything.
The people who believe anything will already be listening to what you have to say. My advice will help you reach those of us who think for ourselves.
Here we go:
Don’t pretend you know more than you do:
I will be more likely to listen to what you have to say if you just admit what you don’t know. I tend to question anyone who appears absolutely convinced of their own intelligence. It makes me believe that you’ll be blinded to the possibility that you might be wrong. And, if you actually know less than I do, pretending to be knowledgeable only serves to accentuate your ignorance.
Assume we’re not idiots:
You can’t hide stupid. If you use bad data or make incorrect assumptions, we’re going to notice. If you make bad decisions based on those incorrect assumptions, we’re going to notice that too. Explain the rationale behind your actions. If your reasoning is sound, we’ll follow your lead. If your reasoning isn’t sound, we’ll let you know. Just be sure you’re listening.
Prove your assumptions:
If you make an assumption, make sure you’re collecting data to prove your assumption is accurate. If you’re listening to your “experts”, make sure you have a plan for proving their opinions are valid. For example, if you’re working under the assumption that everyone who is exposed to a virus is also infected with the disease, you should be collecting data to prove that’s the case. If you’re going to destroy businesses and jobs, you better have a justifiable reason for doing so.
Admit when you’re wrong:
I get it. Nobody likes to admit when they’re wrong. But it’s important. No one is right 100% of the time. I need to be confident that you don’t think you are. By admitting when you’re wrong, I’m actually more inclined to listen to you because I’ll know that you’re smart enough to recognize a mistake when you see one.
Follow your own damn rules:
This one is probably the most important. It’s otherwise known as “leading by example”. When you get caught out partying with your friends after mandating everyone else stay home, you’re undermining your own authority. Saying “I forgot” isn’t an excuse. Because if your rules were really necessary, you wouldn’t forget them. I’m not going to stay locked in my home if I see that you’re maskless at a bar, restaurant or ball game while not-social-distancing with your also-maskless friends. If you’re not going to take what you say seriously, I’m not going to either.
That’s it. Although it’s not a comprehensive list by any means, it should get you most of the way there. If you follow my advice, you’ll be closer to being ready to manage the next crisis that comes along.
