Continuing to Grow Professionally During a Pandemic

Continuing to Grow Professionally During a Pandemic

Bruce Garrod

– October 8, 2020

Following 20 years at a large Canadian telecommunications firm, Bruce established the project management consulting firm Solutions Management Inc (SMI). Since 1999, he has provided contract project/program management services, been a source for project management support personnel and created/delivered courses to over 7,000 participants in Canada, the United States and England.

In a world where personal and professional lives have been significantly disrupted by an international pandemic, it may seem that personal development should be paused. It is, after all, a situation that is unlike any other that has been experienced by an entire generation. Surely it makes sense for individuals and corporations to focus on the immediate challenges of day-to-day business and revisit development objectives at a future date. Or is it?

Crises arise on a recurring basis throughout the world. Some are locally focused and can include geopolitical challenges or other complex situations. Economic cycles occur, which inevitably lead to recessionary restrictions, can be somewhat isolated to geographic areas or—as experienced multiple times in the last 30 years—ripple around the entire globe.

While the difficulties currently being faced seem unique, the world has (and will always continue) to face major challenges. Two recent quotes were widely circulated that capture how seasoned professionals view this and all major economic events.

• Michael Hansen, CEO of Cengage, stated: “The one thing I’ve personally learned is you’ve got to get ahead of the curve, don’t try to deny it or put your head in the sand, and wish for the best. These are the times when a culture and an organization gets tested.”

Hansen makes it clear …

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Published at Thu, 08 Oct 2020 04:00:00 +0000