Disconnected and Ignored: Why Leaders Must Tune into the Voices of the Working Class

The recent election results are a wake-up call, though perhaps not a surprise for those who’ve taken the time to understand the lives of ordinary working people across the globe. During my travels throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, South America, and Europe, I’ve encountered a consistent message: people feel overlooked, unheard, and increasingly strained by the pressures of daily life. There’s a deep frustration that transcends borders, a feeling that “the elites”—a term that captures high-level government officials, wealthy individuals, and academics—are disconnected from the realities of ordinary people.

This election reflects a demand for change from those who feel the world is evolving in ways that often leave them behind. It underscores a growing frustration with a system that doesn’t seem to address their needs or respect their values. Many people feel caught between high costs of living and a lack of representation, leading to a growing disconnect. In particular, they share their distrust of what they perceive as “extreme liberal ideologies” that seem to prioritize abstract ideals over the daily struggles of working people. These individuals are not necessarily opposed to progress, but they want leaders who recognize their hard work and respond to their most urgent needs: job security, affordable housing, healthcare, and education.

The Rise of a Silent Majority

In the aftermath of this election, some have framed the results as a failure of “uneducated” and “ill-informed” voters, even calling them a threat to democracy. But dismissing large groups of people as “deplorable " or labeling them with harsh, dismissive language only serves to deepen the divide. This approach is not only counterproductive; it’s dangerous. It alienates those who are already feeling neglected, and it sends a clear message: that their lives and perspectives don’t matter.

Such dismissive attitudes push people to rally behind leaders who promise to disrupt the status quo and advocate for the overlooked. For many, this election was less an endorsement of a specific ideology and more a statement against a system that seems uninterested in their realities. Rather than dismissing these voters, leaders should try to understand why people are drawn to candidates who promise change and who, rightly or wrongly, claim to speak for the everyday struggles of the average citizen.

The Reality of Class and the Struggle for Stability

It’s important to remember that only a tiny fraction of Americans are considered “above middle class.” Most sit at or below the middle-income level, with many working long hours to make ends meet. These people live with a constant sense of vulnerability, impacted daily by rising costs for housing, healthcare, education, and even basic needs. They rarely see tangible benefits from policies touted by elites, and instead, they feel life is getting harder, not easier.

Across communities, people are finding strength in unity, supporting one another in ways that local and federal governments have often failed to. They’re creating networks of resilience that bridge racial and ideological divides. Despite narratives claiming that society is more divided than ever, many of these communities are coming together, highlighting how out of touch the divisive rhetoric can be. This unity, formed out of necessity, sends a powerful message that leaders can no longer ignore.

The Role of Leaders: Listening to the Left Behind

So, what does this mean for the future of leadership? If leaders are serious about building a more cohesive society, they need to listen to the voices of those who feel left behind. Leadership that fails to understand and address the real challenges facing working-class and low-income people will inevitably face backlash. Dismissing or ignoring these groups only deepens resentment and weakens trust in the system.

A true leader must rise above party lines and ideologies, focusing on the everyday concerns of those who feel left out of the conversation. Policies should aim to address concrete, practical issues and bring meaningful improvements to the lives of those facing the greatest struggles. It’s not enough to deliver speeches about unity or economic opportunity in abstract terms. Leaders must engage with the lived realities of working-class and lower-income individuals if they want to build a society where no one is overlooked or abandoned.

Beyond Political Labels

For many voters, this election wasn’t about supporting a specific party or ideology. It was about choosing a leader who, for better or worse, acknowledges their struggles and speaks to their frustrations. Dismissing this as a failure of democracy misses the more significant point: people are asserting their right to be heard, challenging a system that hasn’t served them well. Leaders should see this as an opportunity to bridge the gap and engage with people who feel disconnected from the political process.

Those who dismiss this movement as simply a wave of “uneducated” voters or a failure of the system are missing the forest for the trees. The reality is that these voters are not “the enemy.” They’re people with real concerns and legitimate grievances. They’re frustrated, struggling, and fed up with feeling invisible. Leaders who recognize and address these feelings will find a way to bring people together rather than drive them further apart.

The Path Forward: Understanding and Responding to the Left Behind

If we are to move forward as a society, leadership must be grounded in understanding and empathy. Leaders should view this election as a powerful reminder that ignoring or dismissing large groups of people is a costly mistake. They need to address the forces driving division — primarily economic insecurity and a sense of disconnection from decision-making processes. Leaders must actively work to bridge these gaps and implement policies that bring relief and opportunities to everyone, not just a select few.

We are witnessing a shift in power as ordinary people assert their right to be heard. For leadership to be future-ready, it must be adaptable, inclusive, and deeply connected to the experiences of the average person. This election was a reminder that people want leaders who care about their challenges, listen to their voices, and are committed to making a difference where it matters most.

Only by valuing and addressing the concerns of the many — especially those who have long felt ignored — can we build a leadership culture that unites communities and creates a society where everyone feels represented and respected. Those who resort to name-calling in times like this reveal more about themselves than those they attempt to disparage, only furthering the divide they claim to lament. This is the future of leadership: a commitment to understanding, valuing, and responding to the voices of those who have felt left behind for too long.