Covid has left a lasting imprint on the world economy, causing permanent changes, and teaching us important lessons. The feeling that my life had been put on hold having sheltered for long periods, had left me at times in a state of limbo, although also created a deep reflection, as I re-thought assumptions and reimagined the future. Covid invoked a need to adapt, AND in so many ways the future got here a lot sooner than we all thought.
When 2022 arrived, I approached it with a more optimistic outlook, proud to have acted in the best interests of my neighbours and communities. I looked forward to life returning to normal, face-to-face meetings, shopping in the CBD, jumping on a plane and travelling. With no more isolation and suppression, I welcomed it. Most of us were vaccinated and personal and business restrictions almost entirely removed, so I had reason to be very optimistic.
Very quickly though, I felt how pandemic recovery can be a stop and start journey, and optimism sometimes tempered as I wonder whether the pandemic is really over. I’m grateful that the pendulum has swung back and it’s been nice to be back in the city again having lunch with colleagues. However, workers are returning in a trickle and the commute is rough. Foot traffic is on the rise, and the staggering number of vacant shop frontages is lifting.
Acceleration! Amplification! Elasticity!
The future of work has arrived triggering us to reconsider our beliefs and long-term choices for the economy and society. Geopolitics has been reshaped, impacting international relations, and creating challenges to global economic and social development. Attitudes are shifting about efficiency versus resilience, industrial policy, economic activity and living, and capitalism, calling for global and collective action on things like pandemics, climate change, the role of government and institutions. Governments are expected to play a bigger role of insurer and investor; public debt has ballooned and there have been many financial challenges.
Companies with international supply chains are dealing with bottlenecks, potentially leading to reshoring production and a shift away from global just-in-time supply chains. With mounting economic difficulties, the inevitable growth of nationalism politics may push companies to localise business operations that favour national and regional supply chains or other cross-border data flows.
Consumer expectations for retail are forever changed as online convenience plays out into a ‘new normal’ and appetite to be at busy shopping centres, declines. A new order has been adopted in healthcare industries as individuals equipped with data and information become the steward of their own healthcare journeys, and have improved access to virtual care through telehealth and services like aging at home.
We have seen rising digital behaviour including remote working and learning delivery services, telemedicine. New habits have been created and companies have reduced their physical office footprints, offered more remote working options, and invested in advanced solutions to further enhance remote engagement.
Covid has amplified learning new skills and created greater skill elasticity. Social isolation and missing the social interaction of the office has created shifts in expectations and assumptions about what work is, the role of a leader, how we manage time and the role of an office. Working from home has had profound implications on working styles and it’s unlikely that we will go back to the pre-covid ways of working. We see a greater need to readily adapt to occupational transitions, with a rising trend for more freelancing and gig work and some giggers knocking back work and being more specific about what work they will take on.
Many industries have supply chain challenges, staff shortages, and demand so strong that they are knocking back sales enquiries. Suppliers are over-run by demand, nobody has enough staff. In other industries, we’ve had to create social protection for vulnerable workers who continue to face excessive workloads, adjust to more intensive hygiene procedures, mobilise support and care for relatives and patients, and respiratory care.
The indomitable spirit in the face of adversity
And yet, we may well be much stronger as the pandemic has highlighted the importance of working together on problems that affect humanity and adapting accordingly. While the pandemic is not behind us, 2022 has given way to the realities of severe economic and political stress, continued retreat from globalisation all while COVID remains a threat and continues to evolve. There’s been a lot to take in this year, a war in Ukraine, rising inflation, cost of living pressures, rising energy prices, mortgage stress, worker shortages, and natural disasters like floods across large parts of Australia. Any personal adversities I have faced this year, surely pale in comparison to so many around Australia and the world, who continue to face misfortune.
Often at the price of precious things, the indomitable human spirit lives on, when faced with adversity. It can harbour a loss of self-identity but can also create the nexus where we are called upon to use our grit, find new opportunity and talents, become personally empowered, make courageous choices, and find new connections.
I am reminded of the traumatised Australians who experienced major flooding events this year. Aghast at the news, I saw footage of people making new territories on roof tops clinging onto precious pets and babies, holding on for dear life for hours on end during the darkness of the night and while the water continued to rise around them. I can’t possibly imagine the terror or the profound impact on their psychological wellbeing.
What I do know, is that I draw inspiration from their courage. Just as it was with Covid I imagine that in the face of the force of nature, it is easy to feel insignificant, but I see their flood spirit building as they rally together to support one another, their families and themselves to rise again and rebuild their lives. They give me faith in the human spirit, their ability to persevere and the compassion and generosity that they offer each other. No doubt, there must be so much pain, doubt, and fear, but may the find peace in their journey from tragedy to transcendence.
Have a wonderful 2023 and a year filled with personal growth and transcendence, whatever that may be for you. Diane Kane 14 December 2023