The future belongs to the brave

Although Covid-19 is everywhere, we always take our own local environment for granted, and when we as developed countries talk about solidarity, we mean sacrificing some of our luxuries for a certain short period of time. But when this period is extended, we become nervous.

For most of us, this is the first time we have experienced what it means to do without a high quality of life and everyday things due to overriding reasons. We are afraid of our loss of control and our own vulnerability and that of our loved ones. Instead, we should reflect on what this means for our global society.

Now, as we can't change the past, we can though look for opportunities to make the future better. Over the past few months, young generations have come out to demand a more sustainable and green future and called the older generations selfish. Today, the younger generations are asked to stand up for the health of the older ones...

Families, communities, neighborhoods, friendships move into the center. And all the superficial behavior takes a pause (hopefully even resigns), when sustainable relationships become more important than ever. Asking "How are you?" without expecting an answer, due to lack of time and real interest, will convert into real care about our environment & people.

All ties together in the reset of our core values as human society.No matter where we come from, were born or raised, we will reconsider values. I have been so fortunate to travel around the world and meet people, colleagues, friends in so many countries across all continents, and it is heartwarming to discover that we can believe in the same common set of core values.

As leaders in business, we try to formulate corporate values, overarching cultures, and regions. But ultimately, it is about finding the greatest common denominator of values in order to have a vision for the better.

Recently, during a global executive education class final, we were asked to reflect on our key learnings. A group of more than 20 business leaders from all over the world, blessed with decades of experience, came to the conclusion that it is all about common values.

Yes, one can argue now whether it is solidarity, integrity, responsibility, sustainability or whatever that should be at the top of the list, but it is just important to have them, agree on one language and then keep them in mind when building something new post-corona.

Well, values have existed maybe forever.But it is important to recall them frequently, make them sustainable, translate them into actions, accept dynamic objectives, adjust the goals, shape new ideas, but finally always keep in mind what ties everything together.

With this, we can build a better tomorrow. It won't be perfect, it will be a bumpy road, and yes, more bad news will come as we are just at the beginning of this pandemic. But we will overcome, and the more people take ownership of the future, the brighter it will be.