Erin Brockovich | Superman’s Not Coming – So What?

You’ve probably heard of the name Erin Brockovich. 

Erin, a single mom working at a law firm, uncovered through extensive investigation that the small town of Hinkley had its water poisoned for over 30 years. 

She built and won the case on their behalf; the largest legal settlement of its kind in US history. Her story was made into a Hollywood movie with Julia Roberts playing the lead, and gained worldwide acclaim. 

Today, Erin is an iconic environmental activist, and a New York Times Bestselling Author. She continues to spread her message through books, podcasts and talks, and we’re delighted she’s taking the stage at ‘From Surviving To Thriving’ Virtual Summit.

Her story is something we can all take inspiration from right now as we navigate the rest of 2020 and beyond. 

As Erin likes to say, there’s no Superman to come and rescue us. These are her top tips for businesses finding their way in the wake of a global pandemic:

#1 When in doubt, go within

“Don’t respond until you’ve done your surveillance. Observe. Listen. Separate fact from fiction before responding.”

Quick reflexes are essential in the current climate, but it shouldn’t come at the expense of informed decision-making. Make data and logic the foundation of your business response. Honesty and transparency underpins Erin’s activism, and businesses can follow suit by empowering their teams with full visibility and transparency. 

#2 Get behind yourself

“Trust what you’ve learned. Trust your decisions. Trust your fact finding. Don’t be a perceived disruptor, but a voice that can be seen as a leader. Speak up and take leadership roles.” 

Shaking up the status quo takes more than a novel idea, it relies on strong leadership. When charting a new course in the face of adversity, be prepared for some form of resistance. Disruption is necessary for businesses to stay ahead of the curve, but effective change management requires you to get behind yourself. 

#3 Better have Stick-to-ititveness

“It’s dogged determination born of obligation and stubbornness. Life will require you to have it. Trust me on that. Life will knock you around, but this will get you through.”

COVID-19 may be a once-in-a-lifetime event, but mankind has demonstrated resilience in the face of adversity throughout history. What separates those that merely survive from those that thrive are those that dig deep and find that tenacity to keep fighting another day. Adapt with different execution methods, but stay the course. On how to pivot with “stick-to-itiveness”, Erin says:

“You may need to step off the track, reanalyze and reapproach. Stop beating yourself up and embrace the courage you have. Don’t be afraid if you did not achieve your goal the first time- analyze yourself and try again.” 

#4 Stand up and speak your truth

“Dig deep and find the courage to stand up and find your voice. There will always be negativity. Don’t let others’ opinions sway you. Embrace your weaknesses, for they may turn out to be your hidden strengths.”

Speaking up when things aren’t right can make all the difference, especially now when workplaces are high-risk environments. Just one person’s courage to speak out can make a difference to thousands of lives. When we stand our ground and speak our truth, we pave the way for others to do the same.

Businesses: don’t be afraid to be yourself

This year has been a game-changer. Innovation initiatives that stretched out over months have been compressed into a matter of weeks. Companies positioned to win are those that dare to innovate, push boundaries, and speak up on matters that no-one else does.

If there’s one person who knows how to do that, it’s Erin Brockovich.

Important Notice
The information contained in this article is general in nature and you should consider whether the information is appropriate to your specific needs. Legal and other matters referred to in this article are based on our interpretation of laws existing at the time and should not be relied on in place of professional advice. We are not responsible for the content of any site owned by a third party that may be linked to this article. SafetyCulture disclaims all liability (except for any liability which by law cannot be excluded) for any error, inaccuracy, or omission from the information contained in this article, any site linked to this article, and any loss or damage suffered by any person directly or indirectly through relying on this information.