Perfect words
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Update: Readers had some fantastic suggestions to my request for help in figuring out what to say to a team the day after the election. Check out some of them here.
Who wants to help me? Every four years, people say it’s the most important election of their lifetimes. But this time, it feels like people really believe it. Like they’re not just saying it.
So, I have a question, which is basically: What should we do on the day after Election Day? What do we say?
Technically, that’s two questions, but I’m not asking rhetorically. I’m asking you for suggestions.
In fact, one of my editors at Inc.com asked recently if I’d consider writing an article for the day after the election about exactly that: What should you say?
Especially if you’re in charge of people — you’re a boss, or a business owner, or in some other leadership capacity. What do you say to your team on November 4?
If people are looking to you, what do you tell them?
I admit, at first I didn’t want to touch this topic. But then, I thought about it overnight, and I realized: Yes, I do have something to say.
Also, I think it’s good that I’m thinking about it now, days ahead of time, before we know who won — or if there even will be a winner on November 4 (or if we’ll be waiting days, weeks, or even months for a final decision).
I’ll touch briefly on my ideas below, but before this gets buried, I’d really like your advice.
No matter who wins, a big of America is going to be ecstatic or relieved, and another big part is going to be angry or even distraught.
What do you say in that kind of situation?
As I’m beginning to think about my answer, three things come to mind.
First, I don’t want to be either pollyannish or alarmist. I mailed my ballot weeks ago, and it wasn’t a close decision for me. I think the winner of this matters, a lot. But, I also don’t think that we’re headed to either Shangri-La or immediately straight down the tubes depending on who wins.
In other words, it’s crucial, but not literally vital.
Second, let me just quote myself from an issue a few months back:
We need to work harder to understand each other. We don’t have to agree with each other necessarily, and we don’t have to convince each other of very much. We don’t even really have to like each other. But we should try to understand. (Also, no matter who wins, no gloating allowed.)
Finally, I keep coming back to the idea that as messy and angry as this is all going to be, it’s better than the alternative. We don’t have widespread violence (knock on wood, and pray to God) during our elections as in some countries. There are countries whose people would envy our situation.
Anyway, those are just my initial thoughts. They’re not perfect words; I’m not sure if I’d ever reach that on this subject. But, “I write what I've learned, so I can learn what I think.”
So, I’d like to know what you think. If you’re up for it, reply to this email, or post in the comments. (I’ll assume it’s OK to quote you anonymously, unless you tell me not to, or say it’s all right to use your name.)
Speaking of elections… We’re down to 5 days left before Voting Day. As of last night, 75,792,256 ballots had already been returned. Remember: Don’t vote by mail at this late date—it’s probably too late!
7 other things worth your time
NASA says it’s determined using the Hubble telescope that an asteroid the size of Massachusetts and orbiting the sun between Mars and Jupiter, is made almost entirely of iron and nickel, and would be worth $10 quadrillion (meaning, a 1 with 16 zeroes). I’m not sure if that includes what it would do to the iron and nickel market, but it’s probably moot since you can’t mine it and bring it to Earth. (Robb Report)
Both Germany and France announced new nationwide lockdowns on Wednesday as Europe enters a deadly new phase of the coronavirus pandemic. They’re mostly less drastic than the lockdowns earlier this year, with schools and shops staying open, and restaurants allowed to sell takeout food, but still. “We are deep in the second wave," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told reporters in Brussels. "I think that this year's Christmas will be a different Christmas.” (NBC News)
Counterpoint: Taiwan just hit 200 days without a locally transmited Covid-19 case. The keys: “strict border control, contact tracing, masks.” (Bloomberg)
By the end of next month, Kroger says you’ll be able to get a 15-minute Covid test at almost any of its pharmacies nationwide. (Progressive Grocer)
The Department of Homeland Security is considering ending the H-1B visa lottery, and instead have a process that gives only priority to the jobs with the highest salaries. (WSJ, $)
And… yet another hurricane. (AP)
Miles Taylor, who flat-out denied in August that he was Anonymous (ex-Trump official who wrote a book and op-eds criticizing the Trump), confirmed that yes, in fact, he’s Anonymous. Here’s video of him apparently lying and denying it on CNN (where he’s a paid contributor) just two months ago. (h/t Chris Megerian).
“I wear a mask for two things, Anderson: Halloween and pandemics. So, no,” says @MilesTaylorUSA, when asked by @andersoncooper if he is the author of the op-ed book written by someone called Anonymous.
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One-click review and feedback:
OK for the past several weeks I’ve contemplated how I am going to feel the day after the election. I remember how awful I felt four years ago after seeing the election results.
However like any other guy-punching situation, such as bad news, a medical diagnosis or any other information you don’t want to hear. I give myself a day or two, but I know I have to pull it together and rise above it and work on being my best self. Realistically speaking, we don’t have a lot of control over what happens in the White House, around the White House, and the decisions that flow from the White House. Yes we have our vote, which is so important, but after that vote is cast so many factors come into play that eventually trickle down to our lives. With that said it is my belief that we have ultimate control over our daily lives and what happens in our lives on a day-to-day basis, regardless of wins the election (the beauty of living in America with all its imperfections).
It’s very important for us to focus on our sphere of influence. The ultimate influence we have is over our children and how we guide, love, and mold them. I try to do this in such a way that my child will contribute to humanity, build and cultivate relationships, and be a positive influence on this earth. MY daily walk and actions have a direct impact on the person my son will become and this has nothing to do with whether the president is Trump or Biden. As parents you are the greatest influence over your child, good or bad.
The other really important factor in our day-to-day lives is our work life. It’s important for coworkers and colleagues to understand each other and that includes similarities, differences, personality quirks and nuances. Respecting each other‘s differences and understanding each other with compassion is key. We all have a goal which generally is the see the company succeed, which hopefully will result in our personal success, which is not always the case. Sometimes there’s a disconnect in terms of our personal goals and the company goals and in situations such as this, it’s important for us to be honest with ourselves and know who we are, what we want and know when to seek other opportunities, focusing on our personal career path. Again this has nothing to do with who is the president and has everything to do with knowing yourself and knowing what you want for yourself and your family and making it your business to accomplish that. I’m going to end this because now I feel like so many ideas are spinning off from things that I’m saying and I’m getting off track but I hope you get the point of what I’m saying.
Be kind to your neighbor, and assume that everyone is your neighbor. We've all been through varying degrees of hell and back this year. So be kind and find, or make, hope each day.