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An Optimistic Servant Leader Calls on Us to Imagine Catastrophe
By Victor Perton "That Optimism Man"
"The durable optimism we need is built on sturdy realism, our vision expanded by an intrepid collective will, unflinching in daring to imagine catastrophe."
That's the conclusion of my optimistic friend James Strock in "Imagine Catastrophe."
In the article, James explores the dangers of complacency and the failure to recognise early signs of major disruptions. Drawing from history, he highlights how societies have often overlooked the early indicators of looming crises, using examples like the British invasion of Washington, D.C., in 1812, the commencement of World War I in 1914, and the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991.
James ties these historical events to current global tensions, including the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, China's assertive actions in the South China Sea, and instability in U.S. leadership. He warns that today's false sense of security could lead to catastrophic outcomes if we fail to address them properly.
Set against the backdrop of August, a month James describes as subtly unsettling, the article reflects on how, in the Northern Hemisphere, the fading light and lingering heat evoke a sense of endings and new beginnings. This cyclical nature of history, where significant changes often go unnoticed until it's too late, underscores his message.
James emphasises the importance of "imagining catastrophe" as a means of prevention, urging leaders to prepare for worst-case scenarios. He contrasts this with the common tendency to exaggerate minor issues for political gain, advocating instead for a realistic but optimistic approach to leadership that ensures we are ready to face and overcome potential disasters.
Infectiously Optimistic Leadership Needed in the USA and Beyond
Whenever I think about James, I think about his servant leadership through the "Serve to Lead Group" and his guiding principles in Serve to Lead | The Four Questions:
- Who Am I Serving?
- How Can I Best Serve?
- Am I Making My Unique Contribution?
- What Am I Becoming?
I am also fascinated by his mastery of the Teddy Roosevelt story. I also associate James with the sunny optimism of President Ronald Reagan—James served in the Reagan and George H. W. Bush administrations. His Serve to Lead podcast is a treasure trove of insights, where James continues to explore the deep connection between leadership, service, and optimism.
In today's challenging times, the infectiously optimistic servant leadership that James advocates is needed in the USA and worldwide. Leaders who serve with a clear sense of purpose, guided by optimism and a commitment to the greater good, are essential for navigating the complexities and potential catastrophes that lie ahead.
James poignantly asks, "Who’s at the Helm? At a moment crying out for decisive American leadership, our political class is AWOL."
This question underscores the urgent need for strong, optimistic leaders who can steer us through these uncertain times with wisdom and courage.
I arose at 4:30 a.m. this morning; perhaps my subconscious alerted me to James' article and its excellent conclusion.
Overnight, I received a tweet from Robert Stephenson responding to me, saying, "Servant Leadership—those of us who believe that there is a better way, have an obligation to our communities to step up and offer that optimistic future to them. Subsidiarity remains an important principle for communities to determine their own positive future options."
This call to leadership resonates deeply with James' message and serves as a timely reminder of the power of optimism in shaping our collective future.
My friend John Hagel talks about serendipity. Yesterday, I spent most of the afternoon over the water at Albert Park in the warm breeze, shooting the breeze on the need to improve my performance in my mission of spreading optimism. Then, these two thoughts intersect.
In my master classes these days, I often refer to magnetic optimism. For years, I have been teaching infectious optimism.
We need to model and foster leadership that embodies magnetic optimism—an infectious optimism—utilising the wisdom of James and Rob on servant leadership.
I am up for the challenge. Will you join us?
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