Hartford Business Journal

www.HartfordBusiness.com • May 25, 2020 • Hartford Business Journal 21 LEADERSHIP IN A TIME OF CRISIS 20 Church Street, Mezzanine, Hartford | 470 James Street, Suite 007, New Haven l Express-Strategies.com None of us is who we used to be. Weeks of quarantine, and the ample time for reflection it has provided, may result in a more encouraging version of what can be achieved and how it can be accomplished. The overriding emotion of this time, which may continue to influence the conduct of business and numerous aspects of daily life, could well be gratitude. Witnessed from the safety of compliance with stay-at-home orders, the unmistakable day-in, day-out courage of those on the frontlines brought to mind a phrase first uttered by social activist Dick Gregory: "One of the things I keep learning is that the secret of being happy is doing things for other people." Many among us have done extraordinary things for other people, meriting our unrelenting appreciation. We are inspired by everyone who stepped up and stepped out to help—in the community, and in our businesses and nonprofit organizations. We also gained heightened respect for the many challenges facing healthcare professionals and food workers, caregiv- ers and delivery personnel, teachers, local retailers and small business owners. They stayed in place, adjusted on the fly, or worked diligently to re-open safely. While individual acts may differ in magnitude, they are drawn from the same cloth — selflessness, empathy, deter- mination, resilience and generosity. Inspiring signs of hope have appeared with heartening fre- quency, from chalk drawings on driveways and paper hearts affixed to doorways, to businesses that retooled instantly and volunteers who responded earnestly. We have all been through much, but we're not nearly done yet. There's more to say, and more to do — with each other and for each other. Express Strategies is grateful for the opportunity to sup- port clients and colleagues through these tumultuous times, amidst the challenges of an uncertain and unsteady business and nonprofit landscape. We proudly salute everyone who has had an impact on fam- ily and friends, neighbors and communities, customers and clients, making a meaningful difference at a critical time. More than ever, we believe that words are the catalyst for action. And today, word one is gratitude. Bernard L. Kavaler Managing Principal

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