Have you ever felt stuck, paralyzed by ambiguity reinforced by the divisiveness around you? What’s happening today reminds me of what happened to me a few years ago while motorcycling in Wyoming.
Out ahead, several cars were stopped on the median. As I got closer, I saw a man cautiously approaching a skunk whose head was firmly stuck inside a plastic soda cup. It was surreal! A skunk in a soda cup? Confused, scared, and uncertain, the skunk was flailing helplessly. The man, unsure how to proceed without getting sprayed, hesitated, wanting to help but caught in his own uncertainty. Then, in a flash, he grabbed the skunk’s body keeping its butt pointed away and ripped off the cup as its odorous spray shot into the air. We all cheered as the man then let the frightened skunk race into the weeds.
Today, we live in a world that feels much like that skunk, confused and scared. But here’s what I know: times of fear and uncertainty reveal true leaders. In times of comfort, anyone can pose as a leader. But real leadership emerges when fright abounds, and certainty is scarce.
Unfortunately, many get caught up complaining about what’s going on politically and economically. They foster negativity and division, especially on social media.
Complaining about what we can’t control solves nothing. It drains energy and distracts from solutions. One member of my industry, someone who used to be high profile on TV, now posts 7-10 times a day on Facebook (who has time for that?). Here’s one of his posts: “Whenever you spot one of these, shit all over it. Tell all your friends.” It was reinforced by an image of a bird pooping on a Tesla. See the actual post above where he forgot the word “of” and failed to put a comma after “these.” Criticism with careless syntax is criticism of the denouncer.
True leaders eschew criticism and they are meticulous in vision and execution, certainly not grammatically sloppy. They help others find clarity in confusion. Regardless of their opinions on Musk or electric cars, they do not suggest pooping on Teslas.
Each of us has expertise in something, an area where we know more than others. For me, that’s real estate. It’s not just my job, it’s my responsibility to provide clarity, calm, and direction to help people make informed decisions in my area of expertise. True leaders ask themselves, “How can I use my knowledge, my skills, my gifts to help others find their way through the noise of uncertain times?”
Leadership is about bringing clarity, purpose, and meaning to people’s lives. Research on executive assessments consistently shows that the most successful leaders are those who create meaning for those around them. I subscribe to a weekly email on executive leadership from Gary Burnison, CEO of Korn Ferry. Recently he shared this thought: “Meaning is our why, the reason behind everything we do. It is the bridge to tomorrow.”
Imagine if each of us woke up every morning committing ourselves to completely avoid complaining and instead, focus on: “How can I create meaning for others today? How can I illuminate paths forward rather than deepen divides?” Imagine a world where nobody complains!
My advice: Ignore divisive social media content. Step away from the echo chambers of negativity. Instead, focus your valuable energy on actions that unite, inspire, provide certainty, and add meaning. True leaders don’t waste time lamenting the state of the world; they roll up their sleeves and shape it. True leaders don’t s*** on Teslas.
