Image credit: Zbysiu Rodak on Unsplash
Recently, I’ve had a few conversations with people who seem defeated as they describe all of the problems we are witnessing today like global instability, war, wealth inequality, political infighting, the environment, etc.
They’re so disappointed that the world doesn’t have the right leaders to solve these problems. I’d be sad too if I had that mindset, so I can’t blame them.
But what if we saw things differently?
What if we started seeing problems as opportunities in disguise that are just waiting for regular people to fill the leadership void?
The issues and problems we are so troubled by can be great opportunities waiting for regular people to show creativity, curiosity, and a committement to doing something.
And instead of thinking about EVERY problem, what would happen if we only focused on the specific problem we are best equipped to solve? Maybe there’s that one issue that drives you crazy or that you have particular skills that can be applied to this problem.
Here’s another way to think about this.
What problem are you best equipped to address with the gifts, resources, network, and abilities you have?
Geoffrey Canada, started New York City’s “Harlem’s Children Zone“, a charter school focusing on not just the student’s educational life, but their home environment and community too.
When learning as a child that Superman was a fictional character, Canada came to the realization that “Superman is not coming to save you.” Since then, Canada has applied this philosophy to his personal life too.
Canada started by focusing on one problem- ending intergenerational poverty in Central Harlem.
Sometimes without even knowing it, we find ourselves waiting for some superhero (politicians, teachers, our boss, or just anyone but me) to step forward and solve our biggest problems.
But what happens if this this superhero doesn’t show up?
What would happen if you stop looking for others to do something and instead become the superhero (leader) you are looking for?
No one else on this planet can take your place, think like you, or do what you can do. Not one of the billions of people alive has your combination of experiences, relationships, vision, personality, aspirations, and dreams.
As Doctor Seuss famously said,
“Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no alive that is Youer than you.”
What would happen if we started to see opportunities where most saw problems? How would this world be different if we saw ourselves as uniquely suited to solve very specific needs?
It’s possible, but it starts when we become the leaders we are looking for.