Right now people want to take a day off work.
You’re one of them. Last weekend, you may have said, it’s a major Holiday, everyone is taking off, so can I.
Or “I’m just beat by all the news that I need to stop and take a breather.”
I feel you.
I hit those moments too.
But I know who I am, who I aim to help with my work, and why I’m doing this in the short- and long-term.
Then it’s clear I can’t stop, nor do I need to stop. Because like the world itself, life won’t stop nor any of the joyous or torturous events warranting a pause.
See, I’m a Black man who purposely doesn’t watch the news, but can’t avoid the tragic humiliations and murders of people who look like me.
Brother to an unapologetically gay man, who has to deal with unprovoked massacres that he can’t prevent.
And friends to women who are mothers, sisters, daughters, aunts victimized by seeing people they care about suffer and lose their lives.
All of us leaders in our own respective way. With people looking to us for guidance as an example of how to manage through confusion and uncertainty.
We all have our share of struggle. We all want to sit back. We all want to cry. I know I’m not alone in this. And honoring time for all that is expected and necessary.
But that’s why I write. That’s why I email daily. That’s why I help others do the same.
It’s the little I can do to help thousands who aren’t feeling Great about the world right now, the people who feel threatened, the people with the inability to completely protect the lives of people they care about.
So the least you can do as a leader?
You write to let them know you SEE them, HEAR them and SUPPORT them.
You can take a day off to watch fireworks, but the pain never stops. Neither should your voice in their ear giving them solace in comfort, if in no other way than as a distraction that both calms and elevates their well being overall.
What message have you written to entertain, inspire or comfort your reader who is dealing with the same global, human tragedies as you?
What fears do you have about being political, taking a side? Your best customer’s hurting because they’ve lost friends and family this week or witnessed heinous events the world has never seen before. What would you say to him or her if you were sitting beside them?
I’ve got plenty to pitch, but this ain’t that kind of email.
My call to action today:
Take a break for yourself and replenshi your reserves.
Then do your due diligence.
It’s not about “being bold”, but living up to your promise to do your job. Meaning do whatever it takes to help people directly around your expertise AND indirectly for their general success.
Do you keep your promises?
Be well,
Max!