It can be hard to feel thankful in a year like this one, but I believe it’s important that each of us reflect on thankfulness as the holiday season nears. I’m thankful for our clients, our partners, and the great people we get to work with.
I’m certainly thankful that 2020 is coming to an end, and I think we’re all there. After all, everyone has just been “over it” for months now. Between the immense economic and personal disruptions of Covid, the powerful protests against racial and social injustice, and the drumbeat of a highly polarized U.S. election, 2020 has challenged each one of us in profound, existential, and, frankly, exhausting ways.
The one thing I am particularly thankful for is that 2020, and all that has happened during it, has focused companies on internal communications. As strategic communicators and leaders, responding to the extraordinary challenges of this year has made us all internal communicators.
I’m thankful that so many strategic communicators and companies have recognized the critical importance of “always be communicating” with your audiences who matter most.
In 2020, for most of us, the most important audience has been our employees. Our teams have looked to us for facts, guidance, and support. We’ve confronted the challenges of shutting down, re-opening, and figuring out how to sustain our businesses while keeping everyone safe. We’ve had to say difficult things to people we care deeply about. And we’ve tried to do it all with grace and empathy. I’m thankful that we at Kith had opportunities to help our clients and our friends navigate these challenges.
I’m thankful that 2020 and its events have moved companies to think more about risk and readiness.
I’m optimistic that companies will take the lessons learned from this most difficult year and be better prepared to face the challenges that lie ahead. Greater awareness of risk leads to better preparations and faster, more effective responses. I’m thankful that many companies and organizations – and their leaders – will be stronger because of this year.
So, enjoy the time with your family, even though it may be socially distanced or via Zoom. Let’s be thankful for our health, our careers, our colleagues, and our successes this year. Happy Thanksgiving.
