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With Election Day in the rearview mirror and Inauguration Day just around the corner, irrespective of where we are in the world, I think we are able to all agree that the showdown between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump, while transient, ranks first ranked among the most divisive in U.S. history.
And remember, Americans are no stranger to divisive elections. When incumbent John Adams ran against (and lost to) Thomas Jefferson in 1800, they could not have resorted to the foul language that Harris and Trump used against each other, but the situation nonetheless became controversial with accusations, aggressive rhetoric and the quite a few personal attacks that occurred from each side.
The subsequent elections between Rutherford B. Hayes and Samuel Tilden in 1876, in addition to the elections of George W. Bush and Al Gore in 2000, and the clashes between Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump in 2016 continued the tradition of controversial elections.
But for the American people, it wasn’t just a fight between two candidates running for president; the competition between your favorite football, basketball, hockey and baseball teams was very bloodthirsty.
Whether it was the media inciting anger and division, or the candidates themselves and their parties fueling the situation, Americans are accustomed to joining their preferred candidate on social media battlegrounds and volunteering for in-person debates.
And this is not an exaggeration when I talk about how American voters show their support. I often compare the path to democracy to an African proverb: “When elephants fight, the grass suffers.” In other words, the collateral damage to voters who resolve to do so is extensive (broken relationships, constant conflict and stress, etc.).
But as Americans wish to say, “Go big or go home!” This could include sports and politics!
About 153 million voters solid their votes (by mail or at the ballot boxes), and former President Donald Trump tipped the scales.
Indeed, things were controversial when incumbent President Joe Biden ran against former President Donald Trump. But when Kamala Harris threw her hat into the ring to exchange President Biden on the Democratic ticket in mid-July, things quickly went from bad to ugly.
Less than two weeks until Donald Trump is sworn in as the forty seventh president of the United States, much of the nation is still mourning and nearly 77 million voters are still rejoicing. However, for small business owners, attempt to look at things in a different way than the political drama surrounding hot-button issues. Whether your chosen candidate wins or not, this is an opportunity to see how the rules will change and what it could mean for the health of your organization.
Ten days before the election, I wrote about how small businesses should vote. I encouraged small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to think not only about how each candidate’s campaign guarantees affected them on a personal level, but I advocated voting based on strategy, not sentiment – a lesson that is crucial now, as we stay up for latest regulations, economic issues, policies and health care priorities.
The big picture: planning for business, not politics
As the United States moves forward, it’s easiest to make headlines. But remember, headlines are meant to incite and divide. And nothing the headlines have to say reflects what should be going through the mind of every small and medium business owner.
It may be difficult to keep in mind that your organization’s priorities do not change with each latest administration. For small business owners, voting should all the time be about strategy, not a knee-jerk response to what you think about an issue involving the X, Y, or Z keys.
This is very true when policies are at stake that may determine how effectively you possibly can reply to market conditions, your ability to draw talent and deliver competitive benefits. As I tell my clients all the time, Inauguration Day is not about party affiliation; it’s about building a resilient enterprise that may weather policy changes, economic fluctuations and industry-specific challenges.
Conclusions from the field: resilience in motion
Before you stayed strategic advisor for Fortune 100 firms and many small and medium-sized enterprises, I have worked in high-level advisory positions in the field of democracy development, strategic planning and conflict resolution in Iraq, Jordan and Indonesia.
As director of management in Iraq during the second Gulf War, I advised political leaders and committees on developing sustainable management strategies. As a political advisor in Jordan, I provided guidance on message development, media relations, and strengthening democratic institutions. As CEO of WealthFunds SPC in Indonesia, I led asset management, expanded international partnerships and led strategic initiatives.
These experiences in politically sensitive and transformative environments shaped who I’m Optimize the moment framework, emphasizing resilience and strategic motion in complex situations.
The Optimize the Moment principle, which I describe in detail in my book, From war zones to boardrooms: Optimize where strategic planning failsis not driven by political divisions, but by real-world experiences from conflict and post-conflict zones around the world. Whether in Jordan, Iraq, Ukraine or Indonesia, I have seen the profound resilience of individuals united by purpose, not ideology or in this case politics.
I bring this up because in all cases I have worked with people after the worst days of their lives. Loss of limbs, homes, communities and relations. Despite these incredible losses, the common thread among everyone I worked with was that they refused to let anything stand in the way of rebuilding their country and their communities.
It didn’t matter which side of the conflict they were on. Not only did they show up every day for the common good of the community, but in their sadness and anger they inspired others to do the same. They saw the must move forward, no matter their feelings during the conflicts.
Shiny shoes to win!
In Jordan, I had an experience that profoundly illustrated the power of unity in the midst of difficulties and differences of thought and belief. My friend scheduled a meeting early in the morning… on Saturday, no less. I could not have imagined that greater than a handful would show up, but I used to be surprised to see a group of retired veterans waiting.
Inside were about 50 retired military veterans. Everyone was punctual and enthusiastic, and I noticed something very cool that brought them together. They all wore high shine shoes!
As we discussed the project and shared ideas, their enthusiasm was evident. Their motivation was limitless. Their nationwide contacts became invaluable. This group, with their enthusiasm and time available, was perfectly suited to the task. Their willingness to assist without expectation of any financial gain made the whole experience extraordinary.
And so, at each subsequent meeting, everyone wore their old combat boots, polished to a high shine, which they maintained as a symbol of dignity and resilience even after leaving the service. These veterans have lost almost every thing – family, friends, stability – resulting from ongoing conflicts in the region. Yet they showed up in shiny shoes, a sign of their commitment to something larger than themselves.
After completing our project, the veterans gave me a ring. They told me, “Whenever you are in Jordan, wear this.” I expressed gratitude, but my friend explained its meaning.
“This ring,” he said, “is more than just jewelry.” True to his words, each time I approached a checkpoint or interacted with authorities, a glance at this ring granted me passage. Once again I felt deeply humiliated. It continues to remind me that we are able to all come together around our differences for the greater good.
The chaotic but powerful nature of democracy
During my stay in Ukraine during the Orange Revolution, I watched women vote for the first time, casting their votes in a latest system that was also turbulent and filled with promise.
Does it remind you of the first time you had the right to vote? Do you remember the discussions you bought into as a latest voter and now? I remember listening to all sides so I could make an informed decision. I liked diversity of thought and was less interested in uniformity. Uniformity is great for individuals who need echo chambers, but it doesn’t advance democracy, and it actually doesn’t advance your enterprise.
I exploit anecdotes like this one from Jordan in my practice when advising clients, especially when they express concerns about which direction to take in their each day operations, but especially in times of crisis.
As a business owner, viewing Inauguration Day through this lens lets you embrace change, prepare for change, and see every challenge as an opportunity.
Sometimes I’m amazed when I hear the word “bipartisan.” If people of various ideological and political persuasions could unite around a common vision for advancing democracy, I have to consider that we, the people, can do the same. I have to consider that small business owners can encourage their team members, stakeholders and customers to come back together for the common good of growing their business and continuing to offer services and products.
As we approach Inauguration Day and the next 4 years, I encourage entrepreneurs to keep in mind that their role is not only as individuals whose candidate either won or didn’t, but as owners of small and medium-sized businesses committed to success. The media exists to divide us, but your ability to see beyond the hustle and bustle of the day will impact not only your enterprise, but also your employees, customers, stakeholders and community members who rely on you.