The State of the Race

We have entered yet another campaign season here in the US. Every problem - from debt ceiling negotiations to immigration at the border - is seen from the point of view of political advantage. Soon all of us, if we’re not careful, will be consumed by “the state of the race.” Misinformation, disinformation, discord, and division are amplified by both social media and now AI. As volume and temperature increase, less and less gets done.

In such an environment, which is depressingly familiar, it’s easy to succumb to the distraction. We can conclude that nothing but the political din matters or become paralyzed by the belief that nothing we can do matters. Both are wrong. So much of politics is, to quote Shakespeare, “sound and fury signifying nothing.” But when that sound and fury dominate, we become powerless.

Politics has impact to be sure. Politicians, and the policies they pursue, can make a real di?erence in our lives, for better or for worse. Political o?ces, whether national or local, and the people who hold them, matter. Voting matters. Speaking out on political issues you care about matters. However, the impact of civil society - of family and community, of business, academia, and the social sector - is usually more immediate and more long-lasting. Civil society is where most innovation happens. It’s also where most problems get solved.

I am often asked these days whether I am involved in politics or running for President. The answer is no. I don’t believe I can make any positive contribution getting involved or running. Positive contribution is the measure of a good life.

My best life and my positive contribution is in civil society.

Most of you are like me. You’re not in politics and you’re not running for o?ce. So, don’t get distracted or paralyzed. Leadership is about changing the order of things for the better. No matter who or where you are, your leadership is possible. And leadership always matters.

?As the political din increases, focus your attention on these things:

1. What is your sphere of influence?

This is not an easy question to answer. It requires both thought and soul-searching. Your sphere of influence may not be lined up with your organizational responsibilities or who reports to you. Your leadership passion may extend beyond work into your community. What do you care about? What are your strengths? What do others respect about you? Who is in your network?

2. What problems within your sphere could benefit from your leadership?

Problems abound. The trick is to find the ones that are yours to solve. These are problems that can benefit from the influence you bring, from the strengths you possess, from your passion and expertise, from those you can contact and with whom you can connect. And you don’t have to start with the biggest problem. It’s actually better to start small and build coalitions, experience, trust and confidence.

3. Who else is impacted by these problems? People closest to the problem know best how to solve it.

Potential leaders are frequently intimidated because they don’t know “the answer”. The truth is, you don’t need to know how to fix something before you tackle a problem. There are always people around that problem who will have great ideas because they have experience with this particular problem. Don’t be afraid of a problem because you don’t know the answer. You alone will never know the answer and certainly not at the beginning of the problem-solving process. You can, with the help of others, discover the answers to making progress and moving forward.

4. How can you collaborate with those impacted by the problem and closest to it?

As you collaborate with others, who may hold opposing political views or di?er from you in other important respects, remember to find shared goals and emphasize common ground.

The most disquieting part of the constant intrusion of politics is people have become afraid to talk to those with whom they might disagree. This is a terrible price to pay. Our di?erences of opinion can strengthen our problem-solving opportunities - but only if we can start with what we share. Do we agree this problem should be solved? Do we agree that together we can solve it? Start with, and return often, to that common ground.?Use all the other di?erences in perspective and experience to sharpen the problem-solving possibilities.

5. Don’t get poisoned by the lack of candor and civility in the political sphere. Practice candor and civility in your own sphere of influence.

Candor matters in problem-solving and leadership. You can’t sugarcoat and spin your way out of a problem. You can’t pretend you’re making progress when you are not. And civility and mutual respect are the lubricants of di?cult conversations, which are always necessary to make real progress.

Don’t waste time worrying about what you can do nothing about. Focus your energies - and your leadership - on where you can make a positive contribution. It will matter. You are not powerless. You are not passing through. You are not waiting for someone else to lead.