A Call to Action on July 4

Losing Hope

Our country is imperfect. Our systems can fail us and others. Many feel despondent about the current state of our political affairs, with extremes on both sides of the aisle pulling us beyond the edges of rational, productive disagreement and into contentious personal attacks. Or worse, we’re drawn into disillusionment and withdrawal from those who think differently all together and the democratic process itself. The recent presidential debate left many discouraged and fearful. Many would call us The Divided States of America. We’ll confess that sometimes these thoughts and feelings plague us as well.

Finding Hope

Yet here we are, almost 250 years later, and on the whole, it’s still working. The Constitution remains a North Star, with amendments serving as constellations to guide us toward a more perfect union. The separation of powers are in-tact with checks and balances, even as some recent decisions by any one of the branches go against our view of what would be best. And most importantly, the source of government power comes from the people, not a sovereign leader.

Thus, while we may justifiably feel anxiety, frustration, fear, anger or depression around what we see in the headlines, we can also take hope. We can find optimism in the fact that the principles and systems of a democratic society remain in place as we continue to grapple with what a more perfect union looks like, and work to get there together.

Even on that desperately dark day in January 2021, we had leaders like Mitt Romney stand for principle and offer hope as he declared, “The best way we can show respect for the voters who are upset is by telling them the truth. That is the burden, and the duty, of leadership. In light of today’s sad circumstances, I ask my colleagues: Do we weigh our own political fortunes more heavily than we weigh the strength of our Republic, the strength of our democracy, and the cause of freedom? What is the weight of personal acclaim compared to the weight of conscience?”

It should come as no surprise to any reader that we love the United States of America, democracy, the Constitution and the system of government we enjoy. We dedicate consistent time and energy to supporting and defending it. We have written a lot on this topic here and elsewhere.

Getting to Work

Of course, more valuable than our writing is the energy we devote to developing public service leaders. We were thrilled that Model Leader was recently selected to support the White House Leadership Development Program , which aims to serve our nation by cultivating enterprise leadership, at the center of government, to improve lives everywhere. We are excited to partner with Tommy Spaulding in a retreat on unity and the founding of this country with a group of corporate C-suite executives in Philadelphia next month. We look forward to partnering with the Partnership for Public Service next week as we facilitate strategic retreats for the top-most leaders at two different government agencies. Next week Andrew will also be coaching a foundation president, an agency assistant secretary, an agency deputy secretary, and a nonprofit executive, among others. This is a glimpse into the work we are doing and we are grateful and honored by the privilege—and committed to it.

Reflection

Amid the pancake breakfasts, barbeques and fireworks today, take a moment to reflect. Reflect on what this country offers you. Andrew was just abroad, and while he loved the countries he visited, he noticed that he takes for granted many small and large things here in the US (curb ramps, accessible and potable water, free public restrooms, restrictions on smoking in public areas, reliable infrastructure, etc.).

A few reflective questions you might consider today:

• What do you take for granted by living in the United States?
• What do you appreciate about living in the United States?
• What gives you hope today?
• How might you be part of the next chapter of this country?

Commitment

In our work, we like to pair reflection with commitment. Here are a few ideas to consider as you commit to something better.

• Write a thank you letter to a public service leader.
• Find something you like about a person who differs from you or a platform that differs from yours. Share what you learned.
• Fly an American flag.
• Spend time listening and lifting on social media, particularly where you disagree.
• Advocate for your point of view civically and civilly by protesting, campaigning, writing or calling your representatives and sharing the reasons for your perspective.
• Offer a prayer for public service leaders.
• Read history to gain perspective on where we’ve been and perhaps even hope for where we’re going. (We’re reading “The Summer of 1787” and “Differ We Must” right now.)

What if?

What if the next chapter is the best chapter yet? What if each of us decides to place understanding a different view at a higher value than being right about our own? What if we were part of making this union more perfect for future generations to enjoy? What if we helped inject just a little more compassion into the back-and-forth? What if we built a bridge over a long-standing divide with a family member who sees things differently that we do?

What if we could look our children or grandchildren in the eyes and say, “I worked to make this country more unified for you”?

The coming months could be the most divisive we’ve seen in our lifetimes as a country. What part will you play in the division or unification of this country and our government? Please join us in being model leaders, striving to lift and unite society rather than tear it down and break it apart. As the fireworks fly through the night air and you are perhaps surrounded by strangers who look, think and believe differently than you, celebrate that fact. As the night sky is lit up in a kaleidoscope of color, let each celebratory explosion mark a commitment from you to this country.

Conclusion

We’ll conclude this piece with a quote from President Obama’s book, “A Promised Land.”

"But the idea of America, the promise of America: this I clung to with a stubbornness that surprised even me. ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal’—that was my America. The America Tocqueville wrote about, the countryside of Whitman and Thoreau, with no person my inferior or my better; the America of pioneers heading west in search of a better life or immigrants landing on Ellis Island, propelled by a yearning for freedom.?

It was the America of Thomas Edison and the Wright brothers, making dreams take flight, and Jackie Robinson stealing home. It was Chuck Berry and Bob Dylan, Billie Holiday at the Village Vanguard and Johnny Cash at Folsom State Prison–all those misfits who took the scraps that others overlooked or discarded and made beauty no one had seen before.?

It was the America of Lincoln at Gettysburg, and Jane Addams toiling in a Chicago settlement home, and weary GIs at Normandy, and Dr. King on the National Mall summoning courage in others and in himself.?

It was the Constitution and Bill of Rights, crafted by flawed but brilliant thinkers who reasoned their way to a system at once sturdy and capable of change.?

An America that could explain me.”

May each of us commit to put society over self, collective unity over individual agenda, and peace over animosity, now and for future generations. .

With hope,

Andrew and Ariel

Model Leader