How to survive 2020 in a new role
Ivor Falvey shares his tips for those who – like him – have started a new job in the middle of a global lockdown
On 6 January this year I started a new job. It had all been going rather well. I joined an established 10 year-old talent research business to both launch and lead their global media and entertainment practice. I have known this business, Wilbury Stratton, for several years.
Our media and entertainment industry needs better talent research, planning, insights and intelligence, more than ever before. I should know. I have spent all of my career in our sector. I have been lucky enough to work with some of the biggest media and marketing brands in the world whilst running the commercial operations of industry brands like Media Week and Campaign. I have built out a global network of colleagues, and friends. I know our industry inside out across the globe.
The scene was perfectly set for me to take the reins at Wilbury Stratton, a relative unknown in the media and entertainment sector with just a handful of global clients like Dentsu and Facebook, and make the practice famous.
The potential was huge, and the timing was right. What could possibly go wrong I thought. The answer was of course COVID-19.
March and April could not have been more different to the first two months.
When the global pandemic set in and the UK went into lockdown, we began to see a cycle of emotions and reactions.
From the initial personal ‘shock’ of having to stay at home and seeing elderly loved ones having to isolate for the foreseeable future making this very real for everyone.
[advert position=”left”] To then the business ‘shock’ of the commercial impacts right now, and the already devastating effect on the global economy going forward. To right now the personal ‘disorientation’ of how the commercial impact is affecting people’s jobs, income, livelihoods and their emotional and psychological wellbeing. Not to mention the loss of life all around us.
It’s been swift and devastating. And the after-effects will be felt for a generation to come. Furlough, hiring freezes, salary cuts and redundancies take up most of the headlines and make concentrating on investing in talent practically impossible. And personally, my job is extremely difficult right now.
It’s too late to dither on my decision. I made my choice to start this new job. And what I want to concentrate on is what I have learned (very quickly!) is that is that there are things that we all need to do right now to help each other get through this current situation and come out the other side ok – albeit with some scars. I have connected my thinking into my 4 Cs.
Stay connected
During this increasingly difficult period of lockdown, we all need to make sure we break out of any individual silo’s and walled-thinking that can arise from having lost those important physical interactions with colleagues and friends.
Make the effort to get on those VC calls and connect.
I am definitely not in the camp of ‘…in the future I am going to spend a lot more time on VC calls.’ But for now, it is vital that we all make the effort to connect, share and learn from each other through all the digital channels possible.
Cherish your community
We are seeing great innovation in getting people together. Zoom, Teams, Skype and Hangouts are being hailed as the latest technology heroes. And rightly so. Now is also a great time to bring your own connections together into different communities. We can all learn from each other and from how different sectors are managing, even thriving, during this lockdown.
Clarity of thought
If you freeze now you are screwed. Now more than ever we need clear thinking and leadership in all aspects of business. It’s ok to change your mind with new data and insight. But if you do need to make a decision with what you know right now – do it. Back yourself. Particularly around those more difficult decisions. Be human and authentic and honest. But take a moment to consider the facts, and any insights, think ahead about the right path and decisions, and then do it. Be clear in your thinking.
Communicate well
Tell your colleagues and friends both what you are thinking, and how you are feeling. You will be pleasantly surprised with how many people want to hear your point of view. People who are probably grappling with the same issues and opportunities. Talk about it.
And if you are leading a business, when you make a decision – communicate it well – the why, the what and the how. How you tell the story of each leadership decision really matters right now because it will be personal to someone who is probably feeling some pain. Make the effort to see how the message will be received. And then land it well.
I am looking forward to answering the question in the future – ‘how was it starting a new job in January 2020?’. For now, the answer is it’s hard. Really hard. But everyone is feeling the hurt. So, I am glad to be in this new job and I am looking forward to seeing you on the other side. And not on Zoom! Where no doubt we will show each other some of our scars. But it will be over a well-deserved Gin & Tonic, or two. Be safe.
Ivor Falvey is a Director at Wilbury Stratton where he leads the Global Media & Entertainment Practice