"When everything seems to be against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it."

These words by Henry Ford remind me that obstacles and resistance—or headwinds—are often the force we need to propel us forward.?

Over the past few months, I've encountered more and more people, particularly in the professional world, who are skeptical about society’s ability to successfully navigate the current difficulties our world faces, convinced that "things were better in the past.” It is easy to forget that global economic instability, environmental crises, technological disruption, and political uncertainties are not unique to current times—each era has its challenging moments. Looking back, we often remember the outcome, not the journey. In business, this idealized picture of the past seems to be starting to spread, which can undermine team morale and fuel a sense of insecurity about the future.?

So, now that I’ve just turned 54, to convince the skeptics, I've decided to embark on a historical introspection by looking back at the first year that made a great impression on me—1981—and reminding myself (and a few of the skeptics that I’ve encountered) that history is a cyclical exercise of crisis and courage.?

1981 marks my first societal memory of adulthood—the iconic image of “La France à deux visages” (Two-faced France)?featuring French presidential hopefuls on election night. Even at 11 years old, I recognized the impact of this moment and found myself fascinated by the conversations taking place. I could feel that we were facing a time of profound transformation that seemed to spark as much hope as fear.

This year also saw the inauguration of several iconic world leaders along with several assassination attempts—including one that was successful. 1981 was also a year of martial law, military operations across the globe, and the beginning of a famine that became one of the worst humanitarian crises in modern history.

In 1981, discussions about the future of the world oscillated between fear and hope. The tensions of the Cold War and the fear of nuclear escalation were at the forefront, as were the potential impacts of new technologies. Given high inflation and unemployment rates, economic crises sparked debates about future economic policies. And the emergence of social movements and environmental awareness heralded profound societal changes.?

At the same time, 1981 was also a year of tremendous progress.?It was the year NASA successfully launched the Columbia space shuttle, the world saw its first PC, and Microsoft launched its MS-DOS operating system. 1981 was also the year of the first wireless stereo headset, the first camcorders, the first use of MRI, the launch of MTV, and the adoption of the Lang Law on fixed book prices in France.

These innovations resulted from visionary, audacious, and creative inventors, entrepreneurs, scientists, and politicians who understood the importance of having a clear vision. They had the courage to implement their ideas, even in the face of adversity and were able to pivot and adapt as necessary.

Experience has taught me that we cannot simply hope for the best and wait to see what happens. Instead, it’s about pulling together a team committed to hitting the ground running, confronting difficulties head-on, building contingency plans, and staying focused on the long-term vision. This focus lets you identify opportunities in complex environments, and act decisively when needed. In turbulent times, one must not merely hope for success but work to stack the cards in your favor.?

US President Abraham Lincoln once said, "The best way to predict the future is to create it." I wholeheartedly agree.

Now that I’ve taken you down memory lane via 1981, I hope you can see that things were not better in the past. Rather we are better for the progress made despite the challenges of the time. Today, there might be more of us, and things may move faster and be more complex, but the very nature of humanity is to overcome. We look to the future, set our path, and fly.?

So, what do you think? Shall we?

PS: I realize that in 1981, many of you had yet to be born! Some personal recommendations for the most curious among you???

My soundtrack of 1981:?I wrote this post while listening to "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey, "Start Me Up" by The Rolling Stones, "Under Pressure" by Queen, "Tainted Love" by Soft Cell, and of course, "Celebration" by Kool & The Gang.

My movies of 1981:?While 1981 saw the release of "Raiders of the Lost Ark," "Chariots of Fire," "Escape from New York," and "Excalibur," I never tire of watching "For Your Eyes Only"—the first James Bond movie I saw in theaters.

Photo credit: the 1981 collagewas created with the help of AI.