“I have COVID-19 symptoms and I won’t be able to get on the call today.” This is what a Switzerland based client wrote last week.
Just an hour later, another client wrote informing me that she will not be able to conduct the project update as per the scheduled because her grandmother has passed away due to COVID – 19 and three other family members have developed symptoms.
As soon as I saw these emails I wanted to respond but I struggled. No, the struggle was not rescheduling or postponing our scheduled calls.But the struggle lied in the fact that I wanted to be meaningful with my response versus just write back , ” Sorry to hear that, hope things get better for you soon and I will connect with you when you are ready.”
After a deep thought, with one of the client I shared stories of people I know who have been through the same situation of dealing with COVID -19 and how they have fully recovered now.
Why did I think that was the best way to respond?
Because we make meaning of the world through stories, through past experiences. COVID-19 outbreak happened and we all looked up SARS to understand what was going on.
In a troubled time if you hear stories of others who have been through the same trouble as you are experiencing in that moment , it helps you like nothing else can. Their experience gives you the mechanism to make sense of the what is going on.
You are not alone is a strong story message in difficult times.
"I attended your story telling course some time back. And I've enjoyed keeping up my knowledge with your blog. You may not have realised however, that the Whole of Government is implementing Internet Seperation. Hence I'm not able to access the links to read your articles. Could I suggest including a QR code in your emails so that I can use my mobile to scan it and gain immediate access to the article? It would be most helpful"
© Copyright 2013 - 2024 Narrative Pte Ltd