We were reminded of these important practices this year

Last week marked our return to the office after almost nine months.

When we left the office in March, we had no idea what to expect. All we knew was that we were facing ‘unprecedented’ times and our year was about to be turned upside down.

While we had already grieved 2020 and what the year had planned, the return to the office brought up new emotions.

It reminded us of how much our world, our industry and our community had lost.

​However, it also highlighted these important practices and helped define our new outlook for a new world.

​​We hope these are practices that continue as we enter 2021.
​

• Never underestimate the power of community
  Our community, social and professional, banded together to show it is stronger than any crisis that gets thrown at us. We adapted, we collaborated, we stepped up, we stood by, we grieved, we celebrated, we shared our struggles and high fived our wins together. Most importantly, we were honest, open and authentic.
  "The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members." – Coretta Scott King
  
  
• Collaboration is key
  2020 saw former ‘competitors’ become collaborators and walls were broken down. It wasn’t about protecting our ‘turf’, it was about working together to create stronger programs, events and projects. Let’s hope these silos and walls never rebuild but we continue to collaborate for the better of our industry and projects.
  "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." – Helen Keller

 

• People want to connect
  We met amazing people in 2020 that we wouldn’t have connected with, had it not been for COVID. The sense of community and connecting with others has never been stronger. New friendships formed, new partnerships were created and new opportunities developed. While we may have felt isolated due to working from home and the unknown, connecting with others filled a massive void – we never felt alone. We connected with all parts of this country as well as new friends internationally. Unfortunately it took a global pandemic for this to happen.
  “I love those connections that make this big old world feel like a little village”. Gina Bellman

 

• Stay visible and bright
  History, from previous crises and recessions, has shown how important it is not to go dark. Staying visible and bright has been key. It was about not being the fair weather friend that disappeared through the bad times and expected to pick up where things left off when the going got better. It was about staying visible and bright and communicating throughout.
  “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”   George Bernard Shaw

 

• Don't project your emotions
  While authenticity and openness was important, projecting emotions through content was a no no. Everyone experienced lockdown, restrictions and reemergence at different paces and stages. Assuming everyone felt the same, was an oversight. Brands or organisations communicating with one general (and sometimes tone deaf) message were shown up. It was important to put our emotions aside and read the room.
  “We are dangerous when we are not conscious of our responsibility for how we behave, think, and feel.” Marshall B. Rosenberg
  
  
• As doors close, new windows open
  Each day was a new day and new opportunities were constantly found.
  “In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.” ​Albert Einstein

We are still on this long difficult ride but hopefully rather than the Big Dipper, we’ve changed to the Scenic Railway.

While 2021 is still a month away, green shoots are already showing and we can’t wait to take all the lessons from this year into this new phase.

In the words of Winston Churchill, ‘Never let a good crisis go to waste”. 

Author

Fetching Events & Communications is a boutique agency that works with the community, for the community, specialising in project management, event management, communications and volunteer engagement. Combining our international event experience in media with our communications knowledge and skills, Fetching Events & Communications provides a fully integrated events, volunteer engagement and communications service.