Greetings Leaders.
When people ask the question, “what’s going on” or “why is this happening,” be reminded that what they are actually seeking to know is, “What does all this really mean?”
Never forget that as a leader, one of your most important roles will always be that of meaning-maker. During unsettling times like the present, people continue to search for meaning in those circumstances they view as utterly confounding – if not downright wrong. Whether related to national political decisions or a reorganization in your own department, people will be looking for you and other leaders to provide meaning to the current madness they are encountering.
Helping people find meaning is much more disciplined than simply sharing an opinion and trying to convince others to agree with your perspective. It requires you to spend time with them objectively examining, discussing, and understanding the complexities of the issue at hand. It also compels you to confront your own subjective feelings and accept how they might be casting a shadow on the complete picture. That is often the toughest part.
Here’s the deal. You may never be able to provide meaning to all the “lunacy” occurring in the world. But you can certainly provide meaning about your collective work – why it matters, how it provides real value, and why it is worth all of you showing up each day with full hearts, souls, minds, and spirits to accomplish it. In doing this, you will also be giving others a sense of meaning about themselves and why they individually matter. And when people have crystal clear meaning about themselves and their work, they find ways to reduce their anxiety about, and better deal with, all those other uncontrollable and inexplicable outside occurrences that are constantly banging against them.
May your upcoming new year be filled with joy and wonder – and of course purpose and meaning.
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