Will the Covid-19 Crisis Cause a Paradigm Shift?
Will the COVID-19 Crisis Cause a Paradigm Shift?
There is a lot of talk these days, about paradigm shifts, but what is a paradigm shift?
A paradigm shift is a major change in the way people perceive the world, triggered by an event that causes a shift in our way of thinking.
The term, "paradigm shift" originated in 1962 by physicist Thomas Kuhn, in his influential book, "The Structure of Scientific Revolutions".
An example of a paradigm shift, is when Louis Pasteur discovered that many illnesses were caused by naturally occurring microscopic organisms; and were NOT examples of Divine intervention and punishments from God.
Another example of a paradigm shift was when the Americans dropped two atomic bombs on Japan, in 1945, which convinced the Japanese to surrender unconditionally, and thus ended WWII. The atomic bomb was a paradigm shift, because it led to the belief that World Wars are now too dangerous to contemplate, since it would mean Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD).
Is the COVID-19 Pandemic a Paradigm Shift Event?
It could be that the COVID-19 pandemic will cause a paradigm shift in people's thinking and trigger a significant and permanent change in the way we live our lives. It depends upon two things:
1. How the Government responds to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Government has introduced drastic, new, draconian measures, imposing restrictions on the freedoms of its citizens. Never before have we been legally bound to remain in Lockdown. The Government have granted themselves these powers for at least two years. The question is, will we regain our freedoms after two years or not?
If not, then COVID-19 is a paradigm shift, in respect of the relationship between the individual and the state. The state would have made a power grab and would dominate the individual to a greater degree since before the signing of the Magna Carta in 1215.
2. How the public responds to the COVID-19 crisis.
The acid test, as to whether COVID-19 is a paradigm shift event, is the reaction of the public. Will the public continue to abide with the restrictions imposed upon their liberties and their social lives? If the general public, changes its view of relationships with passing strangers on trains, in cinemas, in restaurants, and in the streets, then the pandemic will indeed signal a paradigm shift.
On the other hand, if the public lose faith in the statistics and the Government narrative, and if the majority of people refuse to isolate themselves from the rest of humanity from now to eternity, then, COVID-19 crisis may be a blip. Only time will tell.
What does this mean for us, as leaders and managers?
The important thing for us as individual leaders and managers, is to ensure that we continue to progress towards our goals, within the new paradigm.
We know for sure that this pandemic will not be over in a month, and that the future may bring to the economy a "New Normal".
You will have to continue your work in whatever conditions the new paradigm presents to you. And in order to do that successfully, you must know how to get the best performance from yourself and others, especially during tough times.
Get the best from yourself and others during these difficult times
If you would like to learn more about how to get the best performance from yourself and others, please take a look at our Online Professional Development Training Course, where you can learn how to ride out this paradigm shift.
We are also running a series of FREE, live streaming Personal Development Webinars.
Each of the eight modules covers a different topic:
- How your thoughts affect the result
- Reduce fear and replace it with confidence
- How to positively influence others
- A five-part formula for success
- Prioritisation: How to get the most from every day
- Feedback: the breakfast of champions
- A Healthy mind and healthy body
- How to set and achieve your goals
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About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years’ experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
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