I’ve been recently dealing with a death in the family, which instantly changed my perspective on what’s really critical in life.

I understand being very focused on business issues, customers, employees, and profitability. Yes, those are important.

At the same time, we all realize that there are other things which push those to the background. If you’re sick, you’ll focus on that so you can get back to business and give it the time and energy it deserves.

This is especially important during a large-scale disaster such as a pandemic. Random disruptions can occur on a daily basis, and you can’t predict it. But if an employee’s spouse loses their job, it becomes a powerful force in their life.

Your role is to give people, including yourself, the space to be human. That was always the right thing to do, right? But especially critical right now.

It’s not as simple, either, as someone getting diagnosed with COVID-19. What we’re seeing now is that people are spending a lot of time just worrying about it, even if they’re healthy.

Will it be safe to send my kids back to school?

Will we be able to schedule a wedding for the next few months?

Will my family be able to come home for the holidays?

These kinds of questions are consuming a massive amount of mental energy for us all. That energy is taken away from work, group participation, and everything else.

Your role is to help give people the space to be human.

Even yourself.