PPB July 2020

is dramatically new from one day to the next. We live through the filter of our conditioning and change tends to advance us in baby steps. Have you ever said, “Wow, where did the time go?” Pivotal changes, however, are conversation starters—a marriage, move, business expansion, new baby or getting a book published. The proverbial pendulum can also swing in the opposite direction: a parent passes, a substantial contract is lost, an illness sets in, an investment tanks or a key employee leaves. In response to the impact those pivotal changes can have, we initially change our behaviors, then once we come to emotionally accept that new reality, we ultimately change our paradigm. Now, changing a paradigm is about as easy as writing with the less-dominant hand; at first, it’s awkward and takes considerable focus and effort over an extended period of time to feel right. During that process of change your priorities shift, which can impair your listening. You see, the brain will focus on solving its immediate problems. The more urgent the issues, the more attentive you’ll be. When shift happens, priorities change and how we allocate our resources—like time and attentiveness—shifts, too. Multiply that paradigm shift by millions upon millions of people and that’s where we are today. Everyone’s unique new version of self is being changed. Even though what triggered the impact of the pandemic is the same for everyone, we all change differently in response. Here’s the challenge: in a world that operates by order, and for a species that likes routine, this uncertainty can feel nothing short of chaotic. The word that will help us redefine our relevance and grow from this impact is “priorities” and not just our priorities but the priorities of our clients, family members, suppliers, providers, associates and neighbors. Everyone’s reality is shaken, and individuals’ changed behaviors and resulting paradigm shifts are based on their unique circumstances, perspectives, conditioning and values. It’s not that your colleague, spouse or 14-year-old son don’t love or respect you, or that your explanation of the alarm system wasn’t perfect, it’s because at the time that you were giving the tutorial, they had other priorities. They were attention-deficit by default, conserving their energy for their own needs which, at the time, were different from yours. In a webinar presented in April by David Nicholson, president of Polyconcept North America, he referenced the new psychology drivers as identified by consulting firmMelman, Castagnetti, Rosen & Thomas. From this chart in his slide deck, we can draw a perfect parallel to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. The base level of Maslow’s chart lists what we need to survive: food, water, sleep and oxygen. Profit is the oxygen of any business; even not-for- profits require profit to survive. Almost overnight we descended from a point of esteem, taking calculated risks and actively looking to leverage opportunity to gasping for air. When oxygen levels appear scarce or are uncertain, the brain receives a panic signal and getting life- sustaining oxygen becomes job one. Everyone’s reality is shaken, and individuals’ changed behaviors and resulting paradigm shifts are based on their unique circumstances, perspectives, conditioning and values. BEFORE COVID AFTER COVID EFFICIENCY RESILIENCE INTERDEPENDENCE SELF-SUFFICIENCY LEVERAGE / RISK MARGIN / SAFETY ABUNDANCE AUSTERITY Source: Melman, Castagnetti, Rosen & Thomas Supply Chains Health Systems Capacity, Innovation > Cost Inventories Less Global Integration Stronger National Industrial Base Tighter Migration Controls More Regulation, Bigger Safety Nets Rent > Own; Big Employer > Startup Major New Liability Considerations Less Gov't Debt (Super, Duper Committee?) More Gov't Revenue (VAT, Carbon, Trading, Wealth?) Consumers Twice-Bitten, Now A Lot Cheaper | JULY 2020 | 65 THINK