By Cary Hatch, CEO, MDB Communications
So what’s a vigilant CEO to do during a pandemic and national state of emergency?Virtually every organization and business has implemented team-member health protocols, remote working and other business continuity plans. Check and check. Beyond these important initiatives, how does one turn pent-up energy into productive and calming activities?
I’m adopting some new thinking – both to keep my sanity and to champion and model behavior that’s rational and responsible. It’s fair to say it’s challenging to override my natural instincts and daily practices to comply with what I know to be the right thing to do as a good corporate citizen, leader and neighbor.
Despite the internal battle between my conscience and my hard-wired urge to resist change, I’m conceding and embracing the notion of conducting business differently and staying busy and productive remotely by doing the following:
My Personal Sanity Protocol (in no particular order):
- Catching up on list of inspiring books/stories – Audible + Podcasts
- Remaining positive and accessible to team members, clients and vendors.
- Updating our family legacy – Ancestry
- Charitable gathering at home– to donate to Goodwill
- Intermittent check-ins on the pandemic status and any resulting industry/corporate responses
- Walking/hiking: phone a friend during an outing
- Binge watching- NARCOS, Ink Master, Say Yes to the Dress
- Travel & Leisure: Online tours; 12 Museums Around the World – London to Seoul
- Business strategy review/tune-up
- Updating my social channel profiles, contacts, etc.
- Staying calm and carrying on
I’d love to hear how you’re navigating this new environment and calming your inner thoroughbred. [email protected]
Be well and stay safe.
Cary Hatch is CEO of D.C.-based MDB Communications
With more than 30 years of experience in advertising and marketing, Hatch has established a formidable track record in business and consumer communications, both domestic and international. Her broad-based client experience includes National Geographic, Fannie Mae, Destination DC, International Spy Museum, Sprint and many others. She has been recognized on the POWER 100, the Washington Business Journal’s list of the most influential business leaders, for four consecutive years. She currently serves as the Chairman of the Mid-Atlantic Board of Governors for the American Association of Advertising Agencies and was recently appointed to the National Government Relations Committee by the 4A’s. Hatch serves on the Washington DC Leadership Committee for the Ad Council and is a board member for the $2B University System of Maryland Foundation.
Previous Board of Directors positions include: the Int’l Women’s Forum (Washington DC), Leadership Greater Washington, Samaritan Inns and serving on the Executive Committee for the Greater Washington Board of Trade. A member of the 2013 class of The Leadership Foundry, Cary has recently completed the National Association of Corporate Directors Professionalism Program. Hatch is a member of Heroes, Inc., and the Economic Club of Washington DC.
She is a noted lecturer at Johns Hopkins, Georgetown University, and the University of MD; and is a regular on TV and radio outlets commenting on branding, advertising and marketing communications.
Hatch was profiled in Capitol Communicator’s Up Close and Personal series and you can read her profile here.
Image provided by MDB Communications
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