Wisdom Walk: Hope is Not a Strategy

By Jay Galbraith

How often do we use the word HOPE?  I hope that the situation turns out okay.  I hope the project does not fail.  I hope – I hope – I hope.  One could wonder if we are using the word hope in a faith context, or as an action word. With that set-up, this is the next article in the Wisdom Walk series designed to offer pearls of wisdom in the journey to authentic leadership.

Before I get to the thesis of this article, I want to be clear!  I believe in God as a supreme higher power that has a grand design for each of us.  I believe that God has injected hope into our soul, but has also provided a brain with which to receive divine inspiration to carry out daily tasks and to work toward lofty goals.  I pray and value deeply the power of prayer.  Moreover, I do believe that God intervenes in situations and moments that change the course of our lives and history.  

With the above as context, I feel that in today’s culture, the word hope has mostly become an overused verb, is routinely without true meaning, and is not used properly regarding faith.  We often use the word HOPE at times when we actually need to be focused on getting the job done.  Have you been in meetings and heard, “I hope that …. [you finish the sentence]?”

Let me illustrate this from a personal story from a leader I deeply admire.  Some years ago, a group of leaders were working on a national issue and having numerous meetings to determine the best course of action. Over a few weeks, the meetings sank into more complaining sessions than strategy sessions.

One day, in the middle of a lunch meeting with frustrations running high, a respected colleague made several comments about how he “hoped” something would not happen and “hoped” that something else would happen – and like lightning striking from the heavens, my good friend and very respected executive Susan Connelly slammed her fist down on the table and remarked rather loudly,

 “HOPE IS NOT A STRATEGY!”

The room got deadly quiet. But that is exactly what the room needed to hear.  We either needed to be clear about an action plan, or acknowledge that we did not have any options and not let the situation take up any more oxygen.  How many times are we part of committees or in crisis situations where we have paralysis-by-analysis?

People and Organizations are looking for the direction, the purpose, the focus.  As leaders, we need to ensure we are not spinning wheels needlessly and wasting the effort, talent, and spirit of the team/organization. Might I suggest that if you feel you as a leader are doing this, formulate with your team a clear plan that contains an understanding of the mission, expectations, risks, possibilities, limitations and REAL steps that can be taken and potentially achieved.  You notice I have put the word REAL in ALL CAPS.  I did this because I think at times when under pressure and not having an element of control, we start to have WISHFUL thoughts and NON-REALISTIC expectations.  

Using history as our learning guide, the Cuban Missile crisis is an excellent example to study. I would encourage you to read about those tense days of world history on the brink.  For this example, there were two factions in the White House.  The Defense Hawks who were ready to launch at any moment, and those that “hoped” the Russians would not make the nuclear missiles operational - they “hoped” the Russians would back down.  President Kennedy realized he was stuck between Hawks and Hope, and took behind-the-scenes actions to bring about a solution.

I truly hope you are never in a situation as dire as the Cuban Missile crisis, but whatever your situation, I trust you will put together an action plan – pray and proceed. 

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Jay Galbraith lives in Winter Garden, Florida and is married to a rock star homeschool mom. They have four kids. Jay serves on the administrative staff at Valencia College.