Author of seven books, including The Accidental Creative, Herding Tigers, Die Empty, Daily Creative, The Brave Habit. I help creative pros and leaders to be brave, focused, and brilliant every day.
Advice for uncertain times
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Each year, a college friend invites me to a small gathering of brilliant business leaders. A few years ago, a billionaire entrepreneur joined us and shared insights on economic cycles. He advised, "When the economy is booming and capital is flowing, sprint with all your might." And when the economy falters and capital dries up? "Learn to enjoy fishing." His point was clear: during uncertain times, fighting against the tide wastes energy. Instead, recognize the current "season" and adapt your approach accordingly. This wisdom has resonated with me over the past decade, as we've faced global economic and political uncertainties. With this in mind, I'd like to share three quotes to guide us through uncertain times—one for bravery, one for focus, and one for brilliance. Brave: Losing The Battle, Losing The WarOne of my favorite thinkers is Søren Kierkegaard, the 19th-century Danish philosopher often regarded as the father of existentialism. He wrote: "To dare is to lose one's footing momentarily. To not dare is to lose oneself." This quote speaks to leadership. In uncertain times, you must be certain about your core values. When you ignore your conscience, you compromise your integrity as a leader. While you can't fight every battle, you must stand by your principles—they're the bedrock of your credibility. Focused: Doing More, LessIn times of uncertainty, many people tend to scatter their focus, trying to cover all bases. However, a counter-intuitive approach is suggested by author and productivity expert Greg McKeown: "When there is uncertainty, the tendency is to do more, but the better strategy is to do less." This quote emphasizes the importance of narrowing your focus during uncertain times. Instead of spreading yourself thin trying to address every possible scenario, it's often more effective to concentrate on the essential. By doing less, but doing it with greater intention and depth, you maintain clarity in your decision-making process. Brilliant: Standing Out Is InThe conventional wisdom in times of uncertainty might be to play it safe and stick to proven methods. However, author and entrepreneur Seth Godin offers a different perspective: "In a crowded marketplace, fitting in is a failure. In a busy marketplace, not standing out is the same as being invisible." This quote suggests that during uncertain times, the path to brilliance lies not in conformity, but in differentiation. When markets are unpredictable and competition is fierce, the most brilliant work often comes from those who dare to stand out, innovate, and challenge the status quo. It's a reminder that playing it safe might actually be the riskiest strategy of all when it comes to doing exceptional work. |
Todd Henry
Author of seven books, including The Accidental Creative, Herding Tigers, Die Empty, Daily Creative, The Brave Habit. I help creative pros and leaders to be brave, focused, and brilliant every day.
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