On Tuesday I was meant to be speaking about the Power of Storytelling at a lunch time event for about 20 CEO’s. Due to the current situation with COVID19, the event moved to a virtual session.

During the session, one of the CEO’s asked the following question:

‘How do we communicate our business as usual messages in a time where people are so concerned and overwhelmed with what is happening with Coronavirus?’

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

My answer in a nutshell was…You don’t! This is not business as usual but rather a working example of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.

Currently, we have all dropped down into the last two levels in the hierarchy triangle. We are vacillating between Physiological needs such as water, food and health (or for some, toilet paper!) and Security (the need for safety, shelter and stability). Therefore, our primary focus revolves around health, security and employment.

Business as Usual

This doesn’t mean that we should stop our ‘business as usual’ messages. But it’s important to realise that our current disrupted environment is far from ‘business as usual’. Consequently, we need to ensure our messages address the Physiological and Security needs of both employees and clients.

Love and Belonging

What’s more, don’t ignore the middle rung that looks at our needs for Love and Belonging. We all require friendship, a sense of connection and intimacy …albeit within the 1.5 metre guidelines.

I’ve also made a little video above discussing my thoughts detailed in this blog that you may like to watch too.

Look out for each other. Stay positive. Stay well.