Avoid the trap of getting stuck emoting and only pointing out problems. Do the work to contribute to solving the problems. In so many cases, the problem is self-evident; it’s obvious to most of us at some level, it’s easy to spend the majority of our time just rehashing the problem.
1. Letting your emotions run wild is easy; expressing your opinion feels good; you might even be justified and have the right, but don’t let that be the extent of it.
2. Being a critical thinker is hard; it requires you to do some research, to get educated, to resist being offended and stop trying to answer complex problems with emotional responses, slogans, or with oversimplified ideology.
3. Having answers to problems, charting a path forward, or creating a vision will mean you can clearly communicate why your beliefs and values can make a difference in solving the problem. You have to do a good job communicating so that others are persuaded by what you think and believe.
4. Solving problems should start with each one of us as individuals, making sure we are living out the answers in our own lives. Next, be a positive influence in your family and grow that outward to your community and society as a whole.
Beware... Pointing out the problems is only a part of a leader's responsibility.
Beware of when someone says, “Let’s just tear it all down and start over” without clearly being able or willing to demonstrate the new way forward. Obviously, we want to replace what’s broke with something that’s works better.
Beware... Getting caught in the momentum of emotion can leave you susceptible to being used, and manipulated. Capture your emotion and develop your answer to the problem.
Keep Coming Forward,
Jimmy Hensel
