Great Companies Are Improved By Crisis

I recently found myself reflecting on the time since COVID-19 came to American shores and how DMS responded. I am extremely proud of how we acted quickly, swiftly and decisively when it became evident that coronavirus was going to be a very serious issue. We were the first movers, taking actions so extreme that others believed we were over-reacting. Our mantra, “Protect Yourself. Protect Your Family. Protect Your Business,” carried us through, and we are now thriving.

Andy Grove, former CEO of Intel, once famously said: “Bad companies are destroyed by crisis; Good companies survive them; Great companies are improved by them.”

As I thought back to March and just how much adversity, uncertainty and turmoil we have faced since, I see how courageous and decisive my team is. Our ability to lead from the front lets us walk through fire and come out the other side unscathed.

Throughout the pandemic, we have made decisions backed by respect, integrity, gratitude and love. We saw problems and turned them into challenges. We never doubted, but instead saw the positive and the light, not the negative and the darkness. And we were unafraid to make unpopular decisions and stand by them. We were leaders at a point in time when leaders were needed.

Since March, we have all grown. And we have created a circular pattern in which positive energy and light powers us forward in all that we do. I see pride in everyone’s faces. This pride opens us to optimism and excitement about the future.

I encourage everyone to take a minute to reflect on the enormity of the circumstances that represent the past 5 months, the challenges that were faced and that we still face, and how this changed us all.

I also ask you all to feel a sense of pride in your courage and resilience. Because of that courage and resilience, you will continue to be successful in all that you do.