Coronavirus - learning for the future

Conversations and debates are raging in the U.S.A. about the implications of the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). There are those who predict the U.S.A. is in worse shape than many other countries, then there are the politicians who promise that preparations have been "perfect" and there's nothing to fear, and then there are the state and local leaders who attempt to provide a realistic (and alarming) picture while adopting the best strategies available to them and warning that they may not be enough. With today being March 22, the real impact will be known within 7-10 days although the work of responding to COVID-19 will be ongoing for many more weeks and perhaps months.

While the potential for significant suffering and damage is almost inevitable, the U.S.A. will come out of this with yet to be determined loss of life and decline in the economy. After this period of disaster response is over, many more of us will continue to explore "How did this happen?" and "How can we make sure it never happens again?"

I can't remember for sure but 15 to 20 years ago I became aware of Otto Scharmer and "U Theory." Scharmer joined with several other colleagues in creating the model (including Peter Senge) but Otto has remained one of the central figures advocating and applying the theory. I included "U Theory" as one of the primary elements of the "deeper leadership" model that I published in Deeper Learning in leadership: Helping colleges students find the potential within (Jossey Bass, 2007). Since that publication I've continued to believe that presence, flow, and oscillation are critical and ongoing developmental pathways for leadership learning.

One of the best responses I've seen to COVID-19 is Scharmer's "Eight Emerging Lessons: From Coronavirus to Climate Action." This blog post suggests that COVID-19 is a harbinger of things to come, and specifically in the area of climate change. He also analyzes what has occurred in different countries as COVID-19 has spread across the globe. Ultimately, Sharmer says, "The coronavirus situation provides an opportunity for all of us to pause, reset, and step up. COVID-19, like any disruption, essentially confronts each of us with a choice: (1) to freeze, turn away from others, only care for ourselves, or (2) to turn toward others to support and comfort those who need help." Ending this paragraph with "The more the world sinks into chaos, desperation, and confusion, the greater our responsibility to radiate presence, compassion, and grounded action confidence." These two responses are summarized in the Figure that is copied here:

Figure 2 (Scharmer, Two responses to disruption -  two social fields, 3-16-2020)

Scharmer predicts that far-right and isolationist populism will meet its match in COVID-19 and that it will fail. In its place the potential is for a renewed civic engagement to emerge that is grounded in science and real knowing about the world around us.

My bet is on Scharmer, rising collective consciousness and action. My commitment is to act in whatever way I can to support this critical change in our world.