Second, talking to and listening to the customers, vendors, and employees has a historical track record of enviable success. Study after study reveals the fascinating insights discovered from personal interactions. Successful business people and entrepreneurs know that the physical act of talking to a person is a non-negotiable component of success.

Businesses have mission statements, values statements, and policies and procedures to follow in making decisions. Likewise, individuals have personal goals, preferences, ingrained ethics, and hereditary values that come into play when faced with decisions. These constitute your plumb line. Problems arise, however, when your plumb line becomes a pendulum.

The phrase “abundance of caution” is easily one of the most regrettable phrases resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic. It has been overused. It has been excessively used to cover poor management. And, as the quote above demonstrates, it has been misused to compensate for fear and poor decision-making.

Why humor works? Part of it is that shared laughter accelerates a feeling of closeness and trust.