Hope as a Leadership Strategy

I'm an executive leadership coach, so my internal editor, Captain Obvious, will cite me for starting this article with a phrase as banal as, "I've been thinking a lot about leadership lately." But it's true - and I have. 

First a disclosure: I am a fiscally moderate, socially liberal registered Democrat. If that turns you off, that's okay, but in the interest of shared understanding, I invite you to stick with me. I'm not debating policy here. 

I grew up in a household where we debated the relative promise and effectiveness of each major political party because my dad was a liberal Democrat and my mom fashioned herself a moderate Republican. My clients have been all over the spectrum, including a professional photographer who canvased for Bernie Sanders and a Republican who made a run for governor of her state. 

Yes -  I'm fascinated by national politics.  I have a well informed  point of view, and one of my core values is UNDERSTANDING, which I define as a commitment to seek connection by fully appreciating the complexities of another's context, circumstances and worldview.

Part of my fascination stems from a systems-level curiosity about how we see the world as individuals and how ideas take collective hold. So as I watched prime time coverage of the Democratic National Convention over the past four days, and heard the constant refrains of joy, hope, and progress, I was struck by  (Editor's note from Captain Obvious: Is struck the right word? You're a professional communicator - you weren't surprised). Okay maybe not struck - I was interested to see how the Democrats tried to steer the conversation and national mood to one of hope and optimism. And more importantly curious to see if that hope and optimism will take root in the coming weeks.

Because I believe there are two basic ways to lead - with catabolic energy (problem-focused, fear-based, conflict-driven), or with anabolic energy (sustainable, productive, service-oriented and opportunity-finding). I don't think anyone would deny that we've been increasingly spiraling into catabolic energy in our political and social discourse. I know I've fallen victim to a pernicious sense of dread and hopelessness at times, focusing on what feels like impossible gridlock as the focus on our disagreements seems to deepen a gaping chasm between ideologies.

But staring at the problem and gritching about how we got here is never going to lead to solutions. The weight of impossibility can only encourage contraction and conflict. Einstein is ubiquitously credited with saying, "A problem cannot be solved at the level it was created."

Leaders have the power (and I would argue - the responsibility) to elevate the collective consciousness of their teams. It is in hope, optimism, and shared purpose that humans are at their very best - most creative, most engaged, and most energized. The power of hope and possibility can buoy the collective consciousness to imagine that there is actually a solution, and therefore strive to find it.

How are you leading today? What is your prevailing energy? Are you grounded in possibility, hope, and promise? Where have you let the darkness of fear, uncertainty, conflict and hopelessness creep in? What would your family, your friends and your team say to those questions?

Energetic shifts in leadership are my specialty. I have a three spaces open for 1:1 clients in September, and room for two team coaching engagements. If you're interested in experiencing a shift toward the possible, lets have a conversation.