Preparing for 2025, Not Predicting It

The start of a new year is always a moment to reflect on what we can achieve, improve, and prepare for—even in the throes of significant uncertainty in the U.S. and globally. Spending time with my teenagers over the holidays reminded me that, even amidst challenges, creating a hopeful future for the next generation is our most important work.

Rather than predicting 2025, I’ll share a few perspectives to help navigate the uncertainty ahead and focus on what matters most.

What this moment requires

Engagement beats fear: Many fear engaging in politics right now, but action is the best antidote to fear. This doesn’t mean following every headline from Washington—most impactful work happens at the state and local levels.

• Support or become a member of an organization focused on an issue you care about.
• Meet with one of your state or local representatives.

Your leadership matters: David Gergen, a longtime advisor to Leadership Now now in declining health, has a poignant message about service that resonates. Relayed last month by his daughter in the Boston Globe, Gergen reminds us that:

“As awful as life is currently in the public sphere, there is still reason to believe in our country and its leadership and to go into service…. We must hold onto the inspirational moments of our history and use them to light our path forward.”

Looking ahead

Last year, I shared a series of articles in Fast Company with strategies for preparing for what’s next—focusing on solutions that?deliver for Americans, countering threats to your business, and protecting against overreach by political loyalists. [Explore the series below]

The bottom line

When we launched Leadership Now in 2017, we believed those reading this newsletter had the greatest potential—and responsibility—to help get our country back on track. I hold that belief more strongly than ever.

Here’s to a year of meaningful action and engagement.

P.S. Please forward this newsletter to anyone in your network who wants to stay informed and engaged.

Fast Company Series Helps You Prepare for 2025

Dive into my Fast Company series for actionable advice to navigate the uncertainty of 2025.

Be proactive and solutions-oriented

“Let’s Move Fast and Fix Our Nation” (May 2024): I called on Gen Xers in business to step up and lead America out of political turmoil. While many in our generation are pragmatic and care deeply about our country, some prominent peers—Elon Musk among them—are erratic, aggressive, and narcissistic. Read this piece to explore how Gen X can counter recklessness by being proactive, innovative, and leading within their networks and communities.

Pursue collective action to counter threats to your company

“Conceding to Extreme Partisan Demands Is a Losing Bet” (Nov 2024): Grant Tudor of Protect Democracy and I examine why businesses that fail to resist political overreach often pay the price. As pressures to align with extreme partisan demands grow, collective action among industry leaders provides a realistic, durable way to mitigate risks.

Support making government work for Americans—not as a partisan tool

Does making government dramatically more effective sound like a good idea? I agree. But, as Max Stier and I discuss in “What’s at Stake with Trump’s Civil Service Plan” (Oct 2024), replacing career professionals with political appointees would lead to corruption and incompetence. America tried this in the 1800s; it didn’t end well. Loyalists prioritize revenge, not results.

Incisive Thinkers on What to Expect from Autocratically Inclined Leaders

Understand the risks of autocracy and the importance of action with these thought leaders. Read their recent books, follow them on Substack, or explore their podcasts:

• Anne Applebaum: An expert on global autocratic trends and the resilience of democracy. Her book Autocracy, Inc. examines the rise of modern autocrats and their networks, offering insights into how democracies can counter these threats.
• Steven Levitsky & Daniel Ziblatt: Political scientists who examine how democracies crumble and the ways to prevent it. Their book Tyranny of the Minority: Why American Democracy Reached the Breaking Point delves into how minority rule threatens democracy and what can be done to safeguard it.

Political Analysis that Connects to the Big Picture

Gain insights on the current political dynamics and their impact on democracy.

• Ezra Klein: A journalist analyzing political polarization, electoral strategies, and the path forward for American politics. His podcasts since the election have explored critical themes relevant to the future of democracy and Democratic politics.
• The Bulwark: A media platform dedicated to defending democracy and fostering principled, fact-based conservatism. Known for its incisive analysis and commentary, The Bulwark offers perspectives aimed at countering threats to democratic norms.

Post-Mortems: No One Cause, Many Lessons

Explore perspectives on what happened in the 2025 election, what it means for politics in the years ahead, and how democracies falter and recover—we've selected a short list so you don't have to: View Leadership Now's compilation of election analysis and perspectives.

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