On the eve of Remembrance Day (in Canada) and Veterans Day in the US, when we thank those who served for protecting our security and freedom, there are two competing narratives defining last week’s US election.
One narrative speaks of principle, inclusion, respect, civility and seeks cooperation in a search for better solutions. It advocates understanding and respect for science, not pretending that opinion-shopping or a bold Executive Order can repeal or evade the laws of physics. If there are a few random mistakes, this narrative assumes good motives and assumes the system works, unless presented with hard evidence, not a “gut feeling” of malfeasance.
The other is a story of grievance, indignation, accusation, threats and cynicism. It uses harsh language and polemics to demonize, battle for hegemony, plays to our worst demons and portrays those who put science and law above ego and party as malicious and unfit. Like most Americans, we have our views about who is the instigator and who is the defender in this drama — but the cycle itself is destructive, just as we see in our leadership courses when “sides” face off against one another and define “winning” as a zero-sums scorched-earth race to the bottom.
As Biden reminded us in his acceptance speech, the narrative we follow is a personal choice. It’s a choice not to co-operate, mistrust the science and Puff Up – and it’s a choice to co-operate, follow the science and Power Up. That brings us to you, and the leadership role you choose for yourself this Remembrance Day, as you pause to honor the service of the veterans you thank when you salute their service and pin on your poppy. And consider the society you want to create.
We’ve heard Einstein’s quote a hundred times:
“The world will not be destroyed by those who do evil but by those who watch them without doing anything.”
If we’re going to create a team, a business unit, an enterprise, a society that profits through turbulence and earns a diversity dividend, rather than merely grinds out begrudging diversity-tolerance, it’s up to each of us to lead from the middle and make it happen. Now more than ever, none of us who “gets it” can afford to sit on the sidelines. We all have to lead.
As a leader, it’s up to you – to uplift, ennoble and evoke co-operation, rather than feeding into the vitriol. To bring sides together, rather than merely hope they’ll lay down their swords. To stop man-speaking and outrageous unfounded accusations, with a look, a gesture, a humorous quip. To choose physical, biological and actuarial science and engineering when some around us are tempted to mistrust the experts and revert to ideology. To set a tone of spirituality and grace over rage. To call for productive and inventive work and eschew power and entitlement. To stop the poison of cynicism even if it’s entertaining. To enlarge your inner circle and welcome diversity, inclusion and learning from partners with diverse perspectives and conflicting legitimate interests. To call for personal responsibility and doing the right thing, not wait for legal restrictions to force the issue. To affirm allies who choose the principled narrative rather than the rancorous voice of grievance. And to lift us all to a more sophisticated, enlightened and trustworthy understanding of science, the laws of physics, the responsibilities of respecting human rights in a diverse society and an interconnected global economy – rather than wishing we could deny or vote them away.
Fortunately, these are courage-building skills that we’ve seen many leaders learn – and practice consistently, even when they’re in the line of fire. Over and over, in enterprises and in economic ecosystems facing adversity, these are skills that PowerUP a higher level of success – not just a higher and more inclusive level of camaraderie.
We know you have the courage to choose life, science, ethics, diversity and inclusion, interdependence and trust for yourself. Now, Make Courage Contagious, as you pin on your poppy this Remembrance Day and thank a vet for his/her service. PowerUP and lead. And if you need to learn how, ask.
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Merom Klein PhD + Louise Yochee Klein PsyD are Principals at Courage Growth Partners, a business leadership consultancy that equips leaders at all levels of enterprise – from technical expert to board – to lead from the middle, make a difference and profit through turbulence with a diversity dividend. Klein + Klein offer a 10-week leadership course for leaders who want to stop being bystanders and expand their uplifting ennobling impact as influential leaders, based on their new book, Make Courage Contagious.
