The Better Normal Research Project
"The crisis management strategy phase of ‘getting back to normal’ is dead. People want more. They want better. True leaders will use lessons learned from COVID-19 to do better, to build a ‘better normal’ to reassure, strengthen trust and build confidence with realistic optimism."
Robert Masters, Chair, The Centre for Optimism
Almost 3000 people from 37 countries have participated in our survey on "The Better Normal" using Survey Monkey.
1500 Answers to "What is the better normal you foresee for yourself?"
There is a huge groundswell for change - a "better normal" as we say.
What's been interesting is that while our study showed around two-thirds have an appetite for personal change and have made positive changes, polling done by News Limited while reporting our report found 84% of their readers have made positive personal changes.
55% of participants believe there's a better normal for their community and country.
Our plan is to leave the survey open to allow people to collaborate and use the survey to inspire their friends and teams to express their better normal.
"Participate in the "Better Normal Survey"
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Results to Date
From your experience of the pandemic, do you see a "better normal" for yourself?
Do you see a "better normal" for your community and/or country?
We asked those answering yes to "From your experience of the pandemic, do you see a "better normal" for yourself?", "What is the better normal you foresee for yourself?"
Some examples:
What is that better normal you foresee for your community and/or country?
We asked those answering yes to "Do you see a "better normal" for your community and/or country?", What is the better normal you foresee for community or country?
Some examples:
Answers to "What is that better normal you foresee for your community and/or country?"
What makes You Optimistic?
In our survey, The Better Normal, we asked those answering self-identifying as optimists, "what makes you optimistic?
This is the question we have asked of thousands of people - see "Optimists on their Optimism" and "Why ask the question 'What makes you optimistic?"
Click through to "What makes you Optimistic?" Answers from "The Better Normal Survey"
Some examples:
"That the essential goodness of humanity will prevail" (Anand Kulkarni)
What if anything supports your optimistic outlook?
We asked those self-identifying as optimistic, "what if anything supports your optimistic outlook? The top answer was "mindset" followed by "life-experience" and then "most people are trying to do the right thing."
We asked the self-identified optimistic respondents, which of the options offered described their optimism. The top answer was "resilient optimism" followed by "realistic optimism" then "natural optimism" and "purposeful optimism."
What has helped keep you optimistic in these difficult times?
We asked those describing themselves as optimistic, "What has helped keep you optimistic in these difficult times?" The respondents could select multiple choices.
The top answer was "regular positive conversations" followed by "expressing gratitude then "keeping the company of optimists." Smiling, yoga and reducing consumption of news characterised over 25% of the respondents.
More
Our valued partners in this survey include Symphony 7. |
United Nations Policy Brief: The World of Work and COVID-19
"To soften the impact of the deepest global recession since the Second World War, governments and other key stakeholders, including the private sector, need to take coordinated, timely and sustained large-scale action. Interventions will differ depending on the stage of the recovery process, but through all phases, the key question for decision-makers will be how to use their scarce resources to enhance income security; create and retain decent jobs; strengthen the social and ecological fabric of our economies and transition towards a “better normal” – one that is human-centred, inclusive and accessible, gender-responsive, and sustainable."
June 2020 Full Report https://www.ilo.org/wcmsp5/groups/public/---dgreports/---dcomm/documents/genericdocument/wcms_748428.pdf
Maria Isabel Garcia, managing director and curator of Bonifacio Art Foundation, Inc "Why not think of not just a new but a better normal?" | General Martin E. Dempsey "My hope is that you won’t settle to a return to normal, but rather that you will contribute to a new and better normal.” |
Mark R Kramer
"Corporate America and the Business Roundtable have an obligation to go beyond tweets and quotes by committing to an agenda that will advance racial equity in meaningful ways. Some changes cost virtually nothing; others may create short-term costs. But research has shown that the changes that cost money create shared value and lead to greater long-term corporate profitability and a more prosperous, equitable and sustainable society. Now is the time to reset expectations for a new and better “normal” to which we can eventually return."
Reba McEntire
"I hope our new normal is a better new normal. I hope we're nicer, I hope we're kinder. I wish all this hate and anxiety would go away. I wish that would definitely go away. I want a better normal."
https://wincountry.com/2020/09/28/rumor-has-it-rebas-working-on-a-new-record/
Mark Argar "At every turn, adversity has been overcome, and a better, more real world has evolved. The response in my team to this crisis has been wonderful. It's being caring and a real step forward. I've seen this happen over many decades as a result of different crises. Mankind has an inbuilt ability to evolve in a positive direction when confronted with adversity. For this reason, I remain optimistic." |
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