“Once more unto the breach….”
Lately, I am hearing a great many war metaphors being used.
The current crisis unleashed upon the world is harrowing, to say the least. I don’t need to recount the difficulties for you–you are actively experiencing them. I will not argue against the fact that this pandemic is a devastatingly real and cruel adversary,
I do, however, want to argue in favor of, and actively advocate leaders shift their mindset and language away from “fighting” and “taking up arms against” the upheaval we are facing. I am suggesting another paradigm altogether. One Shakespeare included within Henry V.
In the speech that begins, “Once more unto the breach, dear friends. once more….” Henry and his beleaguered forces were facing a bloody fight against the French at Agincourt. So the battleground language is apt.
The coronavirus is an altogether different kind of foe, as is the havoc left in its wake. When I dig deeper into Henry’s words and distill them down, I believe he is calling forth an even more potent and definitive directive than “to stiffen the sinews or summon up the blood.”
Early on he says,
In Peace, there is nothing so becomes a man as modest Stillness and Humility.
So what if, as a leader, you shift your perspective and view things from the standpoint that underlying all this disruption is Peace.
Set aside the many bold and bloody metaphors that Henry V uses, step outside the mindest of battle, and you will discover these telltale lines:
..bend up every Spirit –To his full height
Along with this brilliant and compelling call to action:
The game’s afoot: Follow your Spirit.
If you see this pandemic as a war, I encourage you to shift your paradigm to that of PEACE and tend to your SPIRIT. Now. Do so to your full height.
Here are ideas on how to do that:
Meditate or Pray. Or both, if they are somehow different for you.
Take time and take stock of your values. Actually, write them down. Then ask your spouse or partner if you are living up to them. Then ask a colleague.
Set the intention of instilling peace, reassurance, or loving communication before a call. Yes, I did just use the word love. Because I believe it feeds the spirit.
Go for a walk in Nature, alone, in silence before or after your calls.
When you don’t know the answer to something, admit it.
Ask for help when you need it.
Say you are sorry when you have lost your cool or wronged someone.
Take care of your body, stand up and sit up straight, allow space for your spirit to move through your body with ease, practice breathing consciously, and more deeply.
Turn all your electronic devices off and just be with yourself, or your family. But choose. Taking time for yourself is important, as is time with your family. But they are vastly different. Be clear on which you are doing and when.
Take time to write out what you are grateful for–then tell people individually in short notes how much you appreciate them. Treat them like friends.
Set time aside to have one on one follow up conversations with people, rather than being on large group calls.
Be mindful of the metaphors you use, and the impact they have on your audience.
Practice your emotional intelligence (EQ) by checking in with others and expressing your point of view (in appropriate settings) when things don’t quite resonate.
Find places and people who you can openly share new ideas, and paradigms with as you move with greater tranquility, not into the fray, but into the future.
The game is indeed afoot, and as a leader, following your spirit is essential for our collective wellbeing and the ultimate win.
Peace to you all.
*For all you Anglophiles, and Shakespeare fans, Henry actually ends the speech to his troops with the words “Upon this Cry: God for Harry, England, and Saint George!”