“It's a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your door. You step onto the road, and if you don't keep your feet, there's no knowing where you might be swept off to.”
― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings
For most of us, our life’s journey has been wrought with uncertainty these past few years and Tolkien’s quote seems so appropriate in these challenging times. We are in the midst of an economic and sociological genesis, a time that arguably has little parallels to other periods of transformations. Its breadth is wider, velocity is faster and ability to obliterate the conventional, shocking.
Seems like every year brings challenges beyond what we have seen in the past few years. Governments and Corporations will need to accept the reality that social media may have a pedigree based on connecting between friends, but it has evolved to be a force in the democratization of every aspect of life. Those who oppose this force will risk obsolescence.
Yet I find the light of inspiration always shines brightest when the darkness of adversity is at its worst.
Along with the challenges, disruption will bring about significant opportunities to evolve the world we live in. The world is looking for leaders who can harness the power of viral democracy and collaborate to help create a new world, one that is based on peace and equality. Leaders that support the balance of meritocracy while offering opportunity to all. Leaders who can inspire.
We all have a part to play in this genesis. The success or failure of the genesis can only occur through an organic growth of small incremental change. Each day we have opportunities to make that change, make that small step towards achieving the most significant transformation our world has ever seen.
All we need to decide is if we should step onto that road keep our feet, yet not fully knowing where we might be swept off to. One thing is certain; progress is not made without embracing the risk of change.
