We’ve made it!
In just a few days, we’ll be putting the 2022 election cycle in the rear view mirror. And for many of those paying attention to US politics, it can’t have come soon enough.
As I’m writing this, President Biden has just wrapped his second of two major addresses to the American public this fall – both centered on political division and tense rhetoric. What made tonight’s speech just a little more pointed is the context of a recent physical attack against the spouse of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. In the wake of that crime, POTUS’ remarks were much more direct than his previous speech in September.
Many will deem the remarks a political stunt this close to Election Day. It will be described as a last ditch effort to motivate a likely depressed Democrat turnout to mitigate the damage many politicos are predicting. I, however, am thinking about the speech in a different light.
Just the other day, a volunteer advocate asked me “what will we do if _______ loses?”
I wish I could convey the look of fear in their eyes. It was legitimate fear – the kind of fear we Browns fans feel even when we’re leading by two touchdowns in the final 2 minutes of a game. The best way I can describe it is a fear that a part of our core identity will be harmed if we lose in such a specially predictable way.
Since that conversation, I’ve been asking others the same question I ask committed advocates almost every election cycle:
What’s your PLAN when your candidate DOES lose?
I’m not asking to be petty, or partisan. Rather, I’m aiming to help them move beyond speculating about the unknown. I’m aiming to have them remove a mental variable and embrace their own worst case scenario. Why? Because dwelling on the unknown cripples your sense of action – even moving on to a negative scenario helps kickstart your creativity and move you into problem solving.
I have literally zero training or data to back that claim up – just my own experiences that guide me.
You see in the Marines, we specialize in this type of training. Young leaders are constantly placed into worst-case scenarios – and then, when things are falling apart for the team, we try to make it even worse. Not because we like it, but because we know it helps us keep from falling in love with our own plans. We want young leaders who have an impetus for action. Part of that is learning to “embrace the suck” when your fears are being realized so you can simply work the problem in front of you – and ignore what could have been.
I think a similar approach can help us in politics.
Go back to the question I ask. In response to a “what if” I ask about their “plan” when that hypothetical scenario definitely occurs. I don’t let them pause to bemoan the development, I ask them to specifically tell me how they intend to react. That’s a different ballgame.
As we’re getting closer to Election Day, I’m getting this question more and more – and having this same conversation again and again. Ultimately, I’m trying to help folks keep their heads cool on Election Day. Because pundits can be wrong. Hopes can be dashed. And at every level of government, there will be races that disappoint each of us.
But Election Day isn’t a finish line – it’s a starting block. It’s the anticipation of the starting gun for a foot race. It’s getting into position to act. Successful advocates distinguish themselves by realizing that, and visualizing how they’ll react when the starting gun fires.
So, if you’re stressing over next week’s election – and fretting over what could be – ask yourself the question: “what’s my plan when we lose?”
I think you’ll find yourself a little more relieved and a great deal more ready to act.
Part of the Possible 