Blog Post

2020 is soon in the rearview mirror. Thank God!

You don’t need me to remind you…
Most of us have had some areas of pain, disappointment, fear, and doubt.
We can use this time to do all that we can, together, to appreciate each other and send our support to those not as fortunate. And, as all good coaches say…

“Let’s look forward!”

We have more than one vaccine being distributed. We have home-testing solutions, and technology continues to make more things possible than we could ever have imagined.

As I look at 2021, here is what I see, think, feel:

1. A huge sense of relief that 2020 is to be in the past.
2. Appreciation for all the amazing work and the sacrifices of so many
   to get us through this difficult year.
3. Awareness that there is more for us to do, together.
4. Anticipation for what technology and innovation can bring to our future.

Think about it:

• The vaccines are made from a new technology that teaches our RNA how to reject the proteins of the virus.
• There are reports of batteries for cars that will, at the very least, double our range and seemingly will get us to many times that.
• Space-X had spectacular public launches, including docking with the space station. And the launch rockets, rather than being destroyed, landed upright on an ‘X marks the spot’ on a barge in the middle of the ocean.
• Self-driving trucks are planned by one company to be on routes between Los Angeles and Jacksonville, Florida, by 2023, and then be shipping nationwide by 2024.
• We carry ‘phones’ that are super-powerful cameras, computers, and medical devices. Perhaps most importantly, they are platforms to buy and sell goods and services, instantly. (Business Insider Intelligence predicts m-commerce volume to hit $488.0 billion, or 44% of e-commerce, in 2024).

With all this innovation – and there is SO much more; with all that machines and AI and robots are doing to grow our knowledge – and it is astounding; not one of these innovations – or digital transformations – would occur without great people, working together, believing in the vision, the possibilities, and most importantly, each other.

As we put 2020 in the rearview and enter this time of celebration of miracles; as we (in one way or another) connect with our families and friends; as we express appreciation for our relationships in the last year through cards, messages, gifts, and bonuses, let’s really be leaders.

Let’s together create meaningful moments in the next days, weeks, and months – if not years. Let’s work on being true leaders and innovating our ways of working, our technology, our businesses, and our world.

How do we do that?

George P. Schultz, the former U.S. Secretary of Labor, Treasury and State:

“Dec. 13 marks my turning 100 years young. I’ve learned much over that time, but looking back, I’m struck that there is one lesson I learned early and then relearned over and over: Trust is the coin of the realm. When trust was in the room, whatever room that was — the family room, the schoolroom, the locker room, the office room, the government room or the military room — good things happened. When trust was not in the room, good things did not happen. Everything else is details.”

This is never truer than in times of great change and innovation. Build trust as you transform.

May we have a truly blessed holiday of our beliefs, full of love and appreciation, and a trustful, positive 2021 and beyond.

I trust that this helps. Stay safe and well, Stephen