The pandemic has been a "crash course in the unprecedented" for many business leaders as change accelerated and visibility diminished. Understanding the value of acceptance -- and that it's not a weak or passive trait -- can help leaders survive and thrive in a post-pandemic world. Acknowledging and making peace with circumstances, outcomes and your own limitations can empower you to make changes that will keep your organization on the path to success.
Mental health has declined around the world amid the pandemic, and experts are putting at least some of the blame on our relationships with online news and social media -- a theory backed up by Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen's testimony last week. Researchers have linked a higher use of social media and more exposure to negative posts and news stories to an increased risk of depression and stress. Paying attention to physical cues while spending time online can help you determine if its time to set some limits on your social media consumption.
Administrators and educators at elementary and high schools, as well as colleges and universities, are taking steps to ensure the safety of students and staff as the pandemic lingers. A growing number of schools are moving classes outdoors to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 during in-person lessons, while others are updating air filtration systems. Mask, vaccine and testing mandates are being implemented at colleges across the country, while teachers adopt new strategies to counter learning loss driven by lockdowns and school closures.
The desire to travel is increasing significantly among consumers who eschewed vacations over the past year-and-a-half for fear of contracting or spreading COVID-19, and some industry experts warn that airlines and rental car companies still struggling from last year's slump may not be able to meet demand. Local trips using cars, RVs and short-term rental accommodations remain popular among travelers concerned about crowded airports and hotels, but demand for air travel is also climbing after a precipitous drop in 2020.
I've explored a wide range of the verticals SmartBrief covers over the past five years, writing and editing briefs on the nonprofit sector, telecommunications, tech, infrastructure, aviation, business, the food and beverage industry, energy, marketing, sustainability and travel. Every week, I draw from all of these and more to create a brief offering a unique perspective on the pandemic.
Katie Parks
I've had the pleasure of editing numerous business- and travel-related newsletters at SmartBrief for nearly 10 years, including those covering shopping centers, hotels, casinos and amusement parks as well as spa industry news.
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Whatever it is you're facing, you can't employ your best skills to deal with it until you stop the wrangle against reality and accept what you've been handed, ready to change things for the better.
