“A Crisis is a Terrible Thing to Waste” Said Paul Romer

Reflections by Michael J Griffin

4 minute read

The Covid Crisis. Who would have thought it would last this long! But the Covid Crisis is truly a terrible thing to waste. Maybe you feel “trapped” at the mercy of Covid induced circumstances out of your control. Trapped is what I could feel sitting in a three week quarantine room upon returning to Singapore. Entering the hotel quarantine room, I wondered how would an active guy like me will survive being trapped due to Covid.

I then researched wise sayings that got me focused on making the best I can out of circumstances out of my control. Let’s mediate on the ones that will get you to “turn lemons into lemonade” so you emerge better and stronger out of this Covid Crisis.

When written in Chinese, the word ‘crisis’ is composed of two characters. One represents danger and the other represents opportunity. (危机 weiji)

— John F. Kennedy, 35th U.S. president.

I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me and 90% of how I react to it.

– Chuck Swindoll

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in the moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

— Martin Luther King, Jr., Civil rights leader and minister

When you face a crisis, you know who your true friends are.

— Magic Johnson, Hall of Fame NBA basketball player

A crisis is an opportunity riding a dangerous wind.

— Chinese Proverb

Keep your fears to yourself, but share your courage with others.

— Robert Louis Stevenson, Author of Treasure Island

Losing your head in a crisis is a good way to become the crisis.
― C.J. Redwine, Author

A time of crisis is not just a time of anxiety and worry.
It gives a chance, an opportunity, to choose well or to choose badly.

- Desmond Tutu, African Pastor of Reconciliation

You never have real changes unless you have a time of crisis.

-  Milton Friedman, Economist

In prehistoric times, mankind often had only two choices in crisis situations: fight or flee. In modern times, humor offers us a third alternative;

fight, flee - or laugh.

– Robert Orben, Comedian

A crisis reveals who the real leaders are. – Dr. John Maxwell

Reflect on these quotations and then answer these questions for yourself. You might want to then discuss them with a loved one, coach or mentor and get feedback.

1. What have learned through this Covid Crisis about myself, my values and my leadership?

2. How is my attitude: Despair? Numbness? Lost? Anxious? Positive?  

3. How have my close, important relationships changed through this crisis?

4. Am I giving others hope and direction to navigate through this crisis?

5. Has compassion and empathy towards others grown through this crisis?

6. What changes in my life must I make to emerge from this crisis as a stronger, wiser leader?

7. When will I make these changes in my life? What are my goals and deadlines to achieve this better, changed life?

Have a great week leading others with hope!

Michael J Griffin
Founder ELAvate
John Maxwell Team Founder
6E’s Executive Coach