Leadership

Winds of Outrage

Outrage is a waste of time.

Anger is instinctive, and there’s purpose in standing up for what we believe, but little is accomplished when the two are combined. Lashing out rarely makes us feel better, so why is abusive fury so common?

The winds of outrage get stronger as isolation increases. We live in a connected, but lonely time. Anything is a click away but a thoughtful conversation is increasingly rare. As we age, we spend more time alone, which further reduces diversity of thought. This social isolation causes the overproduction of neural chemicals in the brain, which increases fear and aggression. The mental instability swings us away from center. Instead of curiosity, empathy, and patience, a hardened state feels like the only way to be heard.

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Why must humans unite against things we don’t like so much faster and louder than rallying around those we do?

Without an intrinsic appreciation for the complexity of constant change, simplification is natural. This polarizes any position. When the answer must be yes or no, there’s no room for maybe. If one’s identity is defined by unconscious polarization, it is innate to assume that a threat must be met with force.

When leaders get loud in an aggressive way, does it strengthen their position? No. It looks desperate and detracts from the debate. The increased volume may attract attention, but more of the same only deepens close mindedness. When truth becomes personalized, it shortens the fuse that ignites outrage. How then can we calm, even harness the winds of outrage?

Imagine the serenity of a sailboat. Next time it gets windy with outrage, let your mainsail catch the gusts to move forward. Stay connected to the centering mast by leaning into your understanding, but invite pure wonder by allowing the jib to wave in appreciation for the intensity that comes with outrage. It can feel like strengthening the storm, but a thoughtful question can reduce tension. Our goodwill of active listening creates space for outrageous energy to dissolve. Even when there is little to agree on, as people feel heard they are more willing to listen, and when storms blow over, common ground can be found.

Brewed From Within
#44 📖 Leadership

By Ben McDougal, ago

Playforce Principles

People within a startup community and organizations throughout an entrepreneurial ecosystem often discuss the “future of work” together. As leaders transition today’s workforce into tomorrow’s playforce, the CIRKA equation helps us talk less and do more.

Curiosity is what drives us to appreciate what goes into the answers. It keeps us asking how and why. Curiosity has always driven ingenuity, but as knowledge and solutions become so easy to find, it will be the curious who avoid mediocrity by exploring the edges.

Initiative is a signal that shows you care. It’s showing up, raising our hand, keeping a promise, and sticking with it. The earlier initiative is shown, the faster trust builds. This allows initiative to stack, which increases impact over time.

Real Skills help us all connect, communicate, and collaborate. First curated by Seth Godin, this evolving encyclopedia is an expansive list of modern credentials that go beyond our natural talents. Real skills shine through self control, productivity, wisdom, perception, and influence.

Knowledge is foundational, specific proficiency required to do the work. For example, DJs need to know what knobs to turn, while doctors must understand human anatomy. Vocational knowledge may require formal education, but autodidacticism (being self-taught) is also an assessable path to transform anyone’s personal interests into know-how.

Adaptability is knowing how to learn. It keeps us nimble, even when systems try to force rigidity. When change is constant, adaptability is what helps leaders remain versatile and relevant while also avoiding the pull toward mediocre.

EXTRA SHOT

Life is too short not to enjoy our time.

Unquantifiable depth in each of these variables power the simplicity of the CIRKA equation. Energy guided by these playforce principles move us beyond loops that limit progress and ignite action on the timeline of now.

By Ben McDougal, ago

Decisions

When questions linger, they get heavier. Paralysis can even set in, especially when a decision feels important.

Ambition fades and holding desire invites unhappiness until a future state is achieved. Thinking through the idea maze, strategic planning, and talking tactics is wise, but mental jams are usually not from a lack of choices, but instead, too many. Thoroughly consider the options, then maintain momentum by simply making each decision.

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The best decision is the one you make.

This is not as easy as it sounds. Big or small, a fear of making the wrong decision is ever present. Fortunately, while life or death decisions do occur, most of the time, a wrong decision only requires resources to make it right. Poor decision-making adds up, but if it’s just one decision that’s part of a longer sequence, even slight missteps can move us closer to where we want to be.

Brewed From Within
#50 📖 Leadership

By Ben McDougal, ago

Atmospheric

Why do we insist on talking about the weather?

When there’s nothing else, atmospheric conditions offer an early bond between strangers.

It’s a safe way to avoid awkward silence. Weather is always changing and may be one of the easiest forms of small talk, but it’s just so shallow. Remain courteous to cordial strangers, but for anyone we already know, talk of the weather is weak and pointless. Now, there are meaningful topics like climate change, severe weather, and contingencies for planned activity, but sagacious leaders make it rain with thoughtful questions that draw out deeper discussions.

Breeze past the weather talk to respect people’s time, to show an interest in real progress, and to forecast more relevant bonds that last.

Brewed From Within
#43 📖 Leadership

By Ben McDougal, ago

Generosity Builds Trust

The art of connection aged in a readiness to consistently give without expectation leads to unpredictable opportunity.

Being generous can be as simple as showing up, listening, making a strategic introduction, or providing what paying customers anticipate. This form of benevolence instills wonderment and appreciation from others. Perennial contributions that accelerate others will earn credibility, and over time, trust grows. This is invaluable because humans collaborate with people they know, like, and trust. Trust then allows leaders to assume positive intent. This tightens the tribe and supports more people with big ideas.

The vulnerability required may introduce new challenges, but the risk is worth the reward as we collectively build at the speed of trust. This can be hard to understand for those who have been bamboozled in the past. The competitive nature of capitalism hardens us as well. Trust is tough to earn and easy to lose, but generous leaders know that when more people find success, the sense of abundance translates into fresh ways for everyone to thrive.

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Deliver on the promise.

As trust leads to expanded opportunities, do not dilute yourself to mediocrity. A pitfall for generous leaders is saying yes to everything. The perception is that everything is important and more is better, but overextended leaders burn out. It’s hard to give when we’re too busy so stay receptive, but learn to say no.

This can be done respectfully, and there is usually a way to remain generous, even when we’re choosing to be skillfully selfish for the greater good. Maintained capacity ensures that trust built from long-term generosity provokes the right opportunities, with the right people, at the right time.

Brewed From Within
#42 📖 Leadership

By Ben McDougal, ago