HomePARKINSON: Some of the ‘fight’ seems to be gone – Business – Sarasota Herald-TribuneBusinessPARKINSON: Some of the ‘fight’ seems to be gone – Business – Sarasota Herald-Tribune

PARKINSON: Some of the ‘fight’ seems to be gone – Business – Sarasota Herald-Tribune


We all need assistance and guidance to get through the problems we are facing these days. I learned long ago that when advice is needed, turn to Mark Twain. Today I’m passing on his advice to you.

“Eat a live frog in the morning. Nothing worse can happen to you all day.”

How’s that for a way to put the world in order?

Most of us have never thought about doing that, but it sounds reasonable. An old comic line tells us, “It couldn’t ‘hoit.’” It might, but that’s the free advice for the day.

I thought about making such decisions recently when a colleague raised an interesting question. It had a few bumps, but the overall message was clear. He asked, “What’s this virus doing to us? Are we becoming careless, bored, depressed, deflated? Or have we been just plain defeated?”

I suspect that same question has been asked numerous times by many.

He added, “We don’t seem to care about ‘things’ the way we used.

As I listened to him, I realized he isn’t alone. And he is looking for some answers. But as we talked it became clear he wasn’t depressed, he was annoyed.

In his view many people are now accepting mediocrity, whereas in the past, they sought out and demanded quality. Big difference! Some of the “fight” is gone.

Here is what he offered as some of his evidence. He is watching more TV these days than in the past (Aren’t we all!) and he has noticed a significant change in live news and talk show programming.

In the past, things worked! The picture and the sound worked in sync. Pictures were focused and steady, and the sound was controlled and even. That was because productions were originating in studios. Today the programs are originating in multiple locations. Basements, garages, and workshops are the production locations, and it is impossible to control all the requirements.

A lot goes wrong with what appears on air. Now we have a better understanding of the complexity of broadcasting, but the problem lies in the acceptance of lowered quality. We are more inclined to accept poor quality than ever before because we are becoming used to experiencing it every day. We’re seeing more and more examples of the existence of an “OK” mentality. As long as something is OK it’s good enough.

I recently attended a function with more than a hundred people present. It was an important event marking the opening of a long-closed virus related function. The lights and the visuals were prepped, but when the first speaker took to the microphone, no one could hear him! The sound had not been adjusted! No excuse for that except lack of preparation. Remember this was an “important” event. It required more than a set up that was just “OK.”

In the words used in a different but related context, we seem to be accepting the development of a “new normal.” Others have labeled these times as a new standard. As a “Make do” culture. Is that an accurate designation? Is that what we are willing to settle for?

That label deserves some thought. Let’s look at it from another perspective. We have been participants in this pandemic situation, not just observers. We carry some responsibility. Consider these questions:

What have you learned over the past months?

What do you do differently now from what you did three months ago?

Why?

This isn’t meant to be a quiz. A bit of self-reflection might yield some interesting results, however.

I would like to offer another bit of reflection. It is understandable that we are focused on our businesses and our families in this stressful time, but as a nation we have survived other stressful times, too.

Memorial Day is a time to honor the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces protecting our freedoms. Remember them this weekend. And wear a Red Poppy (if you can find one).

Even with all of our difficulties, this is a great place to call home.

Siesta Key resident, J. Robert Parkinson, who has a doctorate in communications from Syracuse University, is an author, speaker, executive communication coach and consultant to companies throughout the U.S. and abroad. He’s written numerous books, including “Becoming a Successful Manager” (McGraw-Hill). “Be as Good as You Think You Are” (Motivational Press) and “Never Kick a Kangaroo” (Authors Place Press) were written with his wife, Eileen. Contact him at joropa@northwestern.edu.



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