Column by Peter de Bruin

"2nd loop in a large gray area"

In his column, Peter de Bruin observes that we are dealing with the COVID-19 crisis just as we do with all imposed changes. Part of that involves finding someone to blame. It would be better to examine our individual contribution to the collective health risk. We can prevent a “third wave” by accepting that, together, we need to make some sacrifices regarding our individual freedoms.

"2nd loop in a large gray area"

We need to undergo a transition. At least, if we want to survive COVID and prevent other (climate) disasters. The coronavirus is now in its^{second wave}. It’s time for reflection. How do we change? Well, as is typical, we’re following all the behavioral patterns associated with an imposed change. Once we realize that, we’ll be able to truly embark on this transition.

When we view the COVID-19 crisis through the lens of change management, we see all seven behavioral patterns associated with changes that are not self-initiated. Incomprehension, disbelief, loss, individual response, recovery, and repetition are 6 of the 7 typical behavioral patterns associated with imposed changes.

Confusion / uncertainty: What do they mean? Why is that necessary? Who does that apply to? What exactly is expected of me?
Disbelief: What? Really? That much? Again? That can’t be right, can it? They’re underestimating it—is that even possible?
Loss: We experience change in terms of what we lose (position, status, etc.), not in terms of what we gain;
Individually: We experience change on an individual level. We relate it to ourselves—what are the consequences for me? And conversely, we’d rather make the change on our own than together. As long as I can get it done;
Recovery: As soon as the need for change is gone, we recover as quickly as possible. The pressure is off, and everything quickly returns to normal;
Repeat: The next time a change occurs, we repeat this pattern—even if it’s the same change. Visibly, we experience very little learning.

Do you recognize “us” in the COVID-19 crisis? The complaints about the lack of clarity surrounding the measures (1) and the freedom we’re losing (3). Skepticism about whether the lockdown is really necessary (2) and hoarding or scrambling for vaccine appointments (4). We immediately go back to the “old normal” as soon as the measures are eased (5). And, last but not least, now that we’re in the^{second wave}, we should have learned something by now. Yet these patterns continue to repeat themselves for the most part (6).

Traditional behavioral patterns won’t get us anywhere

You can only change yourself. So changes that we “have to” make are frustrating. That usually comes out in the form of blame. And that’s the^7th law of change: we look for someone to blame. We hold our leaders responsible for what is done to us. And we look for new ones. But every call for leadership is a hint at our own inability. Blaming others does not set you free.

Our search for the optimal mix of measures to live with the virus will continue for some time yet. After all, COVID-19 is not a black-and-white issue in which a single measure eliminates all health risks. And so we find ourselves navigating a vast gray area between excessive individual freedom and collective responsibility. In this context, no single leader can make a difference for everyone. And so there’s little point in pointing fingers. Instead, we’d do better to ask ourselves what our individual contribution is to collective health, objectively measured in terms of risk.

We need to realize that these patterns of behavior won’t get us anywhere. Only when we accept that we must collectively make changes to our individual freedoms will we make progress. Corona is changing us, rather than us changing Corona. That would be an instructive response that will also help us deal with future (climate) crises. Hopefully, we won’t need a^third wave for that, will we?