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Let's face it: much of today's media landscape—social platforms, news, podcasts—pulls us toward negativity and polarization. Left, right, or center, it leaves emotional residue: stress, fatigue, and division. Many leaders wonder, "What can I do about it?" Yet, whether you intend to or not, you're already influencing and shaping the people around you every day. The only question is: in which direction?
Since influence is that real, we can flip the script for the good. Leaders doing this are finding greater peace and energy than others. As a coach, I have a simple and practical challenge–for each of us—one that starts tomorrow morning.
The fix: Here’s a challenge to all Leaders
Tomorrow morning, try this simple leadership experiment: Decide that, "today, I'm going to focus on bringing out the best in everyone I encounter - family, friends, colleagues, strangers, even that person who always rubs me the wrong way." And if you create or engage with content, extend this “bring out the best” theme to the content you create or how you choose to engage.
Then live tomorrow according to that one intention, keeping it front and center in your mind.
If you're doing it right, you'll catch yourself falling into old patterns. I certainly do—but my intention helped me break them.
How the fix helps me lead better
Recently, I was working with someone who kept making a similar mistake, and I felt my patience evaporating. My response was brewing – it was going to be that "I've had enough" energy. Instead, I paused and asked myself: "How do I bring out the best in this person?” I approached it that way. Rather than walk in with annoyance or frustration, I began with “You are really good at this so often, and I’m wondering what’s getting in the way lately? How can I help you get back to your A-game?” and it was extraordinary. The conversation shifted completely. The issue got resolved, and we both walked away closer, and energized instead of stressed or depleted.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
While our individual actions as leaders may seem modest, it’s all about the ripples we create: every time we choose to see and draw out someone's potential – their best, instead of calling on something more negative—we're casting a vote for the kind of world we want to live in.
Every moment we respond with curiosity or a helping hand, instead of exasperation, anger, or fear of "other," we're modeling a different way forward.
This isn't about being naive or avoiding difficult conversations. It's about approaching those conversations from a place of possibility rather than resignation. It's about leading with the assumption that people generally want to do well, even when they're struggling, or caught up in negativity.
Your World, Starting Tomorrow
The leaders we need right now aren't the ones who can generate the most outrage or gather the most followers by pointing out what's wrong. They're the ones who can consistently bring out what's right - in themselves, in others, even in what seem to be impossible situations.
You might be thinking this sounds idealistic. But since you're already influencing everyone around you, every day, in some direction, the only question is whether you're pulling them toward their best or something less.
We need a ground swell of bringing out the best in each other. Will you accept that challenge and do your part?
Related: Too Busy to Focus? Here’s Why You’re Ignoring What Actually Matters