Navigating Disruption: Week 6 — The Rae of Sunshine
A Live Documentary of a Disruptor’s Disruption
We are “disruptors.” We are a healthcare technology start-up focused on eliminating waste in the healthcare system by disrupting traditional operating practices. But now COVID-19 has disrupted the disruptors. Throughout the pandemic, we will document the thoughts we have, the plans we make, the risks we take, and the choices we face. Here is our story, one week at a time.
Recap:
Week 0 — Flying High
Week 1 — The Crashing Lows
Week 1.5 — Our Ethos
Week 2 — Do the right thing
Week 3 — The Plan for Strategic Burn
Week 4 — Recalibration
Week 5 — We Become an Essential Service
Week 6 : The Rae of Sunshine
Life is theater. In a theatrical production, protagonists are introduced, leading, and supporting characters enter and exit — sometimes on cue, often when least expected. Often the plot beings its linear trajectory, and the story-line appears to be self-evident: righting a wrong, pursuing an unrequited love, a murder in need of solving. Yet inevitably, the plotline branches into multiple sub-plots and pathways, some lightly diversionary, others integral to the story. Some we expect; others we never see coming.
Our start-up is analogous to a play. We have primary characters and a diverse supporting cast. Characters change, evolve, mature, and sometimes even regress. Sub-plots are introduced and either dissipate or carry through to the end. Internal story-lines diverge, sometimes predictably, often chaotically.
A start-up makes for good theater. And ours is no different. Very recently, just one month ago, a new character was introduced into our play, mid-story. I’m not sure at this moment whether this character is a lead, supporting — or the plucky sidekick. The new character is baby Rae Holland Ramadoss. Yes, my wife Heather (Co-Founder) and I had a second baby girl. I now have two beautiful daughters — ages two years, and a new born, and a lovely wife, age confidential. I’m outnumbered three to one. Though not yet part of Edgility, LLC, Rae is now part of the story.
No matter how well one prepares for children, no matter if it’s the first, second, or fifth, becoming a new parent is both exciting and anxiety-inducing. While we expect things to be a bit easier the second time around, we truly don’t know.
The comic Jim Gaffigan, upon the delivery of his fourth child, — yes fourth, five now! asked what it was like? He responds. “Imagine you’re drowning, and then someone hands you a baby.” It’s not quite that bad, but it’s close.
Luckily, babies are surprisingly resilient. Every cry, gurgle, or movement sends us into high alert. Yet almost none of these events are truly worrisome. But it doesn’t matter, we worry anyway. Today we worry, tomorrow we’ll worry and again the next day.
Our start-up cries, gurgles, and breaks into sniffles too. There are days we swear it even poops. Child or startup, we must determine what is essential and which is just noise vibration.
Start-ups in most situations are first-time experiences too. So, what do we do?
- First, trust your instincts. Instinct goes a long way in child-rearing; it’s in our genes. It works well for business too. When your gut tells you something is right, or amiss, trust it. It’s almost always correct.
- Take Time for Yourself. You need to breathe, so does the baby, and the business. Sometimes we need to rest to get stronger.
- Recognize that this (fill in the blank — crying, teething, pooping) will pass. Sometimes it takes 6 months, two years or even 18. But it will pass.
- Surrender to the chaos. It’s okay. It also makes for great stories.
- Stay calm — and parent on. Your child will learn how to handle situations by watching how you do. So will your business partners.
- Be patient. No need for additional explanation
- Enjoy them.
