Hollywood, Holes, & Hope
“Thirty Seconds. We went like this, he went like that. I said to Hollywood, ‘Where’d he go?!’ Hollywood says, ‘Where’d who go?!’” Wolfman | Top Gun
Hollywood and Wolfman never stood a chance. Viper took them down and left them wondering where the threat came from (and where it went). And in true “life mimics art” fashion, Covid-19 caught some of us looking in one direction while it hit us from the other. Individuals, families, groups, and organizations were all impacted in their own way, and likely have learned a lot about themselves during this time.
While the memory of the past 60+ days will be with us for the foreseeable future, this feels like the perfect opportunity to reflect on both the challenges we have faced and the creative ways we solved them. I start that reflection today as I look back at the lessons learned, and my next post will look forward towards my hope for the future.
In this role, I’ve spent the last two months speaking to hundreds of people about their experiences, challenges, and responses to those challenges. It didn’t matter if they were leaders or subordinates, employed or unemployed, “essential” “workers” or sheltering at home...they had all been impacted by coronavirus in some way. While no two stories were the same, there were some underlying themes that revealed holes and blind spots for them both personally and professionally.
They were unprepared to operate in any way other than a traditional environment - Emergency planning doesn’t seem important when there is no emergency, but a well thought out playbook for coping with disruptions to personal, professional, and business operations is essential.
They lacked efficient communication strategies - Close physical proximity as an effective substitute for actual communication and information sharing turned out to be flawed in many cases. Groups, businesses, and organizations quickly realized their strategies were ineffective and outdated.
They lacked ways to stay connected - At our core, humans are social beings who require some degree of connection. With close, in-person connections limited by stay at home orders and social distancing, groups, businesses, and organizations initially struggled to continue engaging their stakeholders, customers, members, and employees in a meaningful way.
But at the same time, those same people shared some things that gave me hope, specifically in ways that addressed those items that initially blindsided them.
“Necessity is the Mother of Invention” - Although unprepared for the challenges, people, businesses, and organizations innovated, shared ideas, and created acceptable and safe solutions. Kids are still learning from teachers, hungry diners can still get food from their favorite restaurants, and I can still serve PGA members and associates across the country. It hasn’t been easy, but we have all figured out a way.
“Communication works for those who work at it” - Without close physical proximity, groups, businesses, and organizations learned to share information in consistent, effective ways through a regular cadence of communication that was open and efficient. Technology has helped, but the decision to become intentional about communication made the difference.
“Happiness is only real when shared” - Embracing available technology allowed the world to create shared experiences. Yoga studios are offering virtual classes, friends are gathering for virtual happy hours, and people are sharing their skills and talents online in amazing ways (enjoy the links). We have proved that although we may be physically separated, we will not be apart.
I’d like to hear from you and learn what blindsided you and what you have seen in the past 60 days that gives you Hope. Please CLICK HERE if you would like to share, and my wish is that you identify more things that give you Hope.
Hoping for more hope,
Jason Boaz, PGA, ARWC
PGA Career Consultant
Serving the Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota Sections
PGA Certified Golf Professional
Advanced Resume Writing Certification
608.318.5355