The Necessity of Common Leadership in Extraordinary Times

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There is no question we are living through an extraordinary moment. Every day, a new institution—built over decades—is being reshaped or dismantled. The effect is deeply destabilizing. And we’ve been here before. Not exactly here. Not exactly this. But we have lived through national and global uncertainty.

In these moments, leadership—particularly common, everyday forms of leadership—is more critical than ever. The uncertainty we face calls for leadership that is adaptive, resilient, and deeply rooted in shared purpose. As a founder, community member, and parent, my role as a leader has changed and taken new shapes based on what has been demanded of me. And in a moment of great demands, I thought I’d share a few things I have learned over the years to support us all as we are called to lead.

Lead from Where You Are
Extraordinary times can make leadership feel like the responsibility of a select few, but in reality, leadership is available to all of us. At any given moment, we each have the ability to influence our environments and shape outcomes. Leadership doesn’t always mean holding a formal title; it means using your influence—big or small—to create positive change. Whether it’s having heartfelt conversations, offering support to someone in need, writing an op-ed, or mobilizing your community, leadership can take many forms.

Your call to action: Identify where you can make the greatest impact and take action.


Prioritize Self-Reflection and Self-Knowledge
Periods of upheaval demand that we look inward before we act outward. Leadership requires a deep understanding of oneself, especially in uncertain times. More than any other experience, leading has pushed me to grow, forcing me to confront my values, biases, and problem-solving skills. Understanding your positions will help you communicate more clearly, act more decisively, and reduce collateral damage.

Your call to action: Reflect on why you feel compelled to act, understand what you want to see change, and why.


Find Your Team
Leadership is not about doing everything alone; it’s about recognizing where you need support. Sara and I have always complemented each other, creating a partnership where our strengths amplify each other. Understanding what you need—not from a place of deficiency, but from a place of synergy—is critical for effective leadership.

Your call to action: Know your strengths and find people who complement them.


Practice Right Speech and Right Action
In times of disruption, emotions run high, and the impulse to react quickly can be overwhelming. During my time living in a Buddhist monastery in India in college, I learned the principles of right speech and right action. These principles emphasize the importance of intentionality—ensuring that our words and actions align with our values and do not cause harm. In moments of stress, it’s easy to react impulsively. However, true leadership requires the patience and clarity to act thoughtfully and with integrity, even in the face of instability.

Your call to action: Identify where your actions may cause harm and reduce those harms to the best of your ability.


Build Your Own House
When we started ILLUME, there were no companies quite like ours. We had to build our own house—an organization that reflected our values and met the needs of our lives, families, clients, and community. Leadership is about creating spaces that align with your vision, whether that means shaping an existing organization or creating something entirely new. You have the power to design the environment that serves your purpose and meets the needs of the moment.

Your call to action: Identify what is missing and empower yourself and others to create the spaces you need to thrive. 


Embrace the Suck
When institutions and norms are shifting, the ability to persevere is essential. Among the most underrated leadership qualities are grit and tenacity. I have had the privilege of working alongside Sara, whose endless tenacity has taught me how to turn ideas into reality. While I thrive in the realm of concepts and theories, she ensures that our vision materializes. Leadership requires pushing through discomfort, tackling the hard stuff, and staying the course even when things feel impossible. It demands self-determination and resilience, especially when facing an uncertain future.

Your call to action: Keep going.  


Resist Zero-Sum Thinking
In times of disruption, it is easy to fall into scarcity thinking—the belief that resources are finite and that progress for one must come at the expense of another. Instead of seeing resources as limited, we can view them as generative—capable of expanding and creating more opportunities. Problems don’t need to be reduced to blame or fear; instead, they can be approached as opportunities to innovate, to use available resources creatively, and to grow. Leadership is about finding ways to turn challenges into possibilities, even in times of instability.

Your call to action: Identify how can you multiply the impact of your work.

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Moving Forward
Leadership in challenging times is not about having all the answers—it’s about showing up, reflecting, and acting with intention. It’s about leading from where you are, taking care of yourself, building what doesn’t yet exist, and pushing forward with resilience. Most importantly, it’s about remembering that leadership is not a solitary act; it is about collaboration, community, and collective progress. Your everyday acts of leadership are a gift.