Thoughts on the Events of January 6

The events of the past 24 hours are both heartbreaking and tragic. Over the past 245 years, despite our differences and disagreements, our individual preferences and personal beliefs, we have consistently put the nation first by honoring above all else, the peaceful and graceful transfer of power. Countless men and women have sacrificed their lives to protect our democracy and to ensure that it would survive the test of time. As we look with heavy hearts on the events that have unfolded in our nation’s capital, it is important to remember that yesterday’s events do not define us.

How we come together to build a future of prosperity and unity will define the country going forward. This cannot be accomplished overnight, but we can make progress every day by consciously monitoring how we behave, how we work together and how we treat one another. Through our personal actions, we can work toward a more unified future by building strong communities for ourselves, our families and each other and creating a stronger nation for future generations.

Leadership, on both a formal and informal level, is an honor, a great privilege and an enormous responsibility. Service to others and their wellbeing should guide us as leaders. We must stand for what is right, legal and ethical, all the time, in every circumstance. As we reflect on the events of the past 24 hours, it is important that we focus on instilling stability, calm, trust and, most importantly, reinvigorating a passion to come together, despite our differences.

We can all do better. We cannot allow the acts of a few take away from what has been built and what will be built, through teamwork, understanding, respect and mutual care. Setting the foundation for the future starts with each of us and what we do today... how we show up and how we ensure that the places where we live and work, the organizations we are a part of, are better for us being there.