Leading When the Walls Are Falling Down

As anyone who has not been asleep for 40 years can tell, the world has changed. For two decades it was assumed by many that the future would be much like the present only more so. All organizations would grow, future visions would be easy to formulate, and all investments would average 8-15%, unless they were with Mr. Maddoff, and then it would by 20-30%. Well, the sugar plum fairy has been destroyed by environmental toxins in the form of greed and hubrus. An old saying of my grandfather, and probably yours also, was "if it looks to good to be true, it probably is". So here we are with businesses scrambling to survive, lots of good folks hitting the food pantries they used to donate to, and a general anxiety felt across all ages. Parents have the sad task of telling children they may not be able to support their desired college for awhile. Families giving up their home to live with relatives or at homeless shelters. Since most of us only remember the great depression through the stories of our elders, it seems we are visiting the past.
We are generally a compassionate country, and still remain so in the midst of this reorientation to a new reality. However we have lost any compassion for those who seem to have escaped from the morass of their doing with only a few less millions than they had a year ago. The general population finds little sympathy for Ruth Maddoff who now must live on only 2.5 million. The anger was palpable when senior executives of financial firms were rewarded on their way out the door with obscene amounts of cash. It is one task to stabilize our financial system, it is a far greater task to reestablish the trust in its leadership. There is far too much belief that the fox is in charge of the hen house.
Well, you know all the stories, so I will refrain from retelling them all here. The question remains of how to lead in the midst of such climactic change that no part of society is untouched. The answer is found all around us. Volunteers are helping find food and housing and health care for those who have lost it all. Community folks are opening their hearts and smaller wallets to keep the most hurt among us covered with the basics. Churches are rediscovering there basic ministries by opening facilities to house the homeless and feed children. All kinds of support groups have emerged to network for any available jobs, part time or full time. Those who can are going back to school to get ready for new kinds of jobs that will emerge. This is creating such a jam at the doors of universities that they are having to set limits which is, in turn, giving growth to online resources for job searches and education.
For the first few months there was a bit of shock in the populace that left us stopped short, trying to figure out what to do or not do. Now the elements of leadership, individual self-leadership, and organizational leadership are accelerating as people flip on their innovation, second-wind effort, brush off old skills, and start creating a better, more honest world.
Leadership is all around. The Gen X folks have grabbed hold of the reins in some areas and are prodding the Boomers to get moving. Yes, some of the Boomers are escaping to Panama or Belize or some other country where the rest of their retirement account will stretch further, but many are tossing off the retirement hat and re-engaging in new jobs or old ones to lead the way through this. How can you tell these leaders are authentic and trustworthy? Because they are sharing the risk with us all. They are giving much of themselves and not asking others to carry it all. And if you look in their eyes, you see a passion. For some it is a passion they have not felt for some time, but have rediscovered. They are doing what matters, and they love it. Leadership is all around us, of all ages, and you may be one of them. If so, great. Lead On. Let's all work for a more sane, inclusive, equitable and considerate future. Let's encourage imagination, support innovation, restore the damage done by our past illicit appetites, and leave a much better place for the next generations.

Until next time,

Larry