Widespread confusion about what it takes to be strong
Sometimes we confuse strength with:
- Loudness
- Brusqueness
- An inability to listen
- A resistance to seeing the world as it is
- An unwillingness to compromise small things to accomplish big ones
- Fast talking
- Bullying
- External unflappability
- Callousness
- Lying
- Policies instead of judgment
- …and being a jerk.
Well, once you put it that way, it's pretty clear that none of these things are actually signs of strength.
In fact, they are symptoms of brittleness, of insecurity and of a willful disconnect from the things that matter.
Individuals, organizations, brands and leaders all have a chance to be strong. And can just easily choose to be jerks.
Because it is a choice, isn't it?
I think it's up to us not to get them confused, and to accidentally trust the wrong behaviors or the wrong people.
Strength begins with unwavering resilience, not brittle aggression.