Rebuilding More Than Business: Rebuilding People

After multiple waves of COVID, lockdowns, oxygen crises, financial stress, and uncertainty, things slowly started becoming smooth again. Offices began reopening. Movement resumed. Markets showed signs of life.

But beneath that surface recovery, something was still unsettled.

The numbers were improving. The environment was stabilizing. Work was restarting.

The people were not.

Some team members had lost close family members. Some were dealing with medical after effects. Some were handling financial strain at home. Many were still carrying silent trauma. Even when they logged in, even when they showed up, a part of them was still healing.

As founders, we often focus on revenue recovery, business pipelines, partnerships, targets, and strategy. But in that phase, it became clear that before rebuilding business momentum, we had to rebuild emotional strength.

And that is far more complex.

When Business Moves but Energy Does Not

Work had restarted, but the enthusiasm was not the same.

People were cautious. Conversations were softer. The spark felt dimmed. Even small uncertainties triggered anxiety. Every cough raised concern. Every news alert about rising cases created tension.

Things were moving, but not at the pace we expected.

As a founder, you realise something important during such times. Strategy alone does not drive growth. Energy does. And energy comes from people who feel safe, supported, and connected.

If the team spirit is low, growth slows. If morale drops, execution weakens.

We needed to do something that was not about targets or performance reviews. We needed to reconnect as humans.

The August Decision

In August, when the situation seemed relatively stable, we decided to take the team for an outing and seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath.

It was not just a trip. It was a symbolic reset.

Even then, fear had not fully disappeared. Some team members were still afraid of COVID. A few chose not to join. And that was completely understandable. Trauma does not vanish because the calendar changes.

But those who came experienced something powerful.

It was not about the destination alone. It was about being together outside the pressure of screens and deadlines. It was about conversations beyond work. It was about laughter returning naturally. It was about sitting together without discussing cases, losses, or uncertainty.

Seeking blessings of Lord Jagannath brought a different kind of calm. It gave everyone a sense of grounding. A feeling that after everything we had faced, we were still standing. Still together.

And importantly, we carried the blessings for those who could not join as well. They were equally part of the journey.

Also Read:- Our Logistics Journey: From Disruptions to Determination

The Best Part Was Not the Trip

The most beautiful part of the entire experience was how it was organized.

The team planned everything themselves.

Travel bookings. Coordination. Stay arrangements. Discussions. Budgeting. Responsibilities. Everyone contributed. It was completely DIY.

Without being told, people stepped up. Some managed logistics. Some handled communication. Some ensured safety precautions. Some coordinated timing.

That collaborative planning process did something magical.

It revived ownership.

It rebuilt bonding.

It reminded everyone what teamwork feels like outside crisis mode.

When people build something together, even a simple outing, it strengthens invisible threads of trust. And those threads become the foundation for stronger business execution later.

The Founder’s Real Role

In a startup, the founder wears multiple hats.

Strategy head. Operations lead. Finance controller. Sales driver.

But during difficult phases, one more role becomes critical.

Emotional stabiliser.

As founders, we must understand that growth is not just numbers on a dashboard. Growth is people evolving together. And people cannot perform with high enthusiasm if they are emotionally drained.

Keeping team spirits high is not about forced motivation speeches. It is about:

• Creating safe spaces
• Encouraging openness
• Respecting fear and trauma
• Rebuilding confidence slowly
• Celebrating small wins
• Showing that togetherness matters

Startups do not fail only because of competition or capital shortages. They fail when internal energy collapses.

And energy is contagious.

If leadership stays calm and hopeful, it spreads. If leadership becomes anxious and reactive, that spreads too.

Read More:- Recognition Amid Crisis, Responsibility Amid Chaos

Moving Forward Together

The outing did not magically solve every problem. Business still had challenges. Growth was not yet at expected levels. Market recovery was uneven.

But something had shifted.

The team felt connected again.

Conversations became more natural. Collaboration improved. Smiles returned. People started thinking forward instead of just surviving.

And that is when real rebuilding begins.

As a startup founder, you need to balance every aspect at once. Business recovery. Financial stability. Market strategy. And at the same time, team morale.

Because when the team grows, the startup grows.

When the team heals, the startup regains strength.

When the team believes again, momentum returns.

COVID tested systems, markets, and strategies. But more than anything, it tested human resilience.

And in the end, rebuilding people turned out to be the most important milestone of all.