The global COVID pandemic is winding down. It’s been quite a ride of upheaval and change mixed with some fear. It used to be that masks were worn only by doctors and nurses and bank robbers, but now we all have a supply of masks in our cars. People have died in record numbers. Some business models are flailing while other business models are flourishing. You’ve likely been at home more than out and about. Your office is still a bit empty.
Cultural anthropologists tell us we live in a place of “liminality”. The word liminality comes from the Latin word, threshold or limin. For us it means we can’t totally go back to pre-COVID times, but we don’t know what the future holds either. We’re living in the in-between space.
Yet, we can’t live like the fog will never lift. God was not surprised by COVID-19. He is still wanting us to live with hope and trust in his purposes and plans and love for us and for all the people of planet earth. Former USA Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger said, “The historic challenge for leaders is to manage the crisis while building the future.” Leaders must move from inward hand-wringing and present-day stats-gazing to outward-focused market planning. It’s time to move away from contingency paralyzed wondering to hopeful scenario planning. It’s time to re-imagine your business model, not just hope it goes back to the way it was.
If you’re a follower of Jesus, you live in-between another couple of places in history. You live in-between the cross of Christ and the coming of Christ. The cross gave you a chance at forgiveness, and the future coming of Christ gives you the hope of a home in heaven. Most of us pretty much live like we will be on earth forever and never die, yet history is clear on the stats. Everyone, in all of history, has died! Well, there is one exception. Jesus Christ holds the distinction of being the only one who beat death and rose from the dead. He inspired some followers of his to write down life principles that show us how live in the here and now while keeping eternity in mind.
What does this have to do with leadership? Well actually, a lot. While we’re busy re-inventing our firm, we should be living like our time at the helm of our firm is not permanent. We should do things today that will leave a strong legacy. A legacy of someone who lived for God and loved people. Some plans and dreams on our corporate to do list might ought to be accelerated into the here and now.
We might treat people like we would treat them if we knew that they, or we, had 24 hours to live. We might worry just a bit less about profit and give out more bonus money to our team members. We might be offended less by others. We might give out more compliments. We might find out when our team member’s birthday or anniversary is and give them a generous amount of money to go out to dinner. We might take that longer vacation. We might hug our family more and look them in the eyes and say a heartfelt “I love you.” We might go home early and play catch with our kids or walk in the park, or just listen and not tell. We might be less angry with non-performance. We might apologize for hurting someone. We might resolve that unresolved conflict from months ago. We might be sure that there is no question that we are followers of Christ so that no neighbor or employee or co-worker at our funeral is surprised we were a Christian.
Tim McGraw sings a powerful song that helps us push eject from fog-enshrouded living. It’s called, “Live Like You Were Dying.” In the song, after the doctor gives out the bad news about cancer, Tim reminds us we should all love deeper, speak sweeter, became better friends, give forgiveness we’ve been denying, go sky-diving and go Rocky Mountain climbing.
Why not take just four minutes now, look up the song and reflect on the message.
How about you? What if you knew you had just three months to live? How might you live like you were dying? It’s time to live well in the in-between.
About the Author
GREG LEITH
Greg Leith is the CEO of Convene. He was born in Canada and lived in all four corners of North America. His career spans over 35 years of senior leadership roles in corporate, non-profit and academic sectors. Recently, he served as Director of Strategic Alliances for 13 years at Biola University in California.