Last week, we marked the anniversary of September 11th. I’ve been thinking a lot about what I remember most. Not just the tragedy of that day, but also what occurred on September 12, 2001.
We were devastated; still, something powerful happened:
People helped one another. We made eye contact. We were kind. We showed up in service of our shared humanity.
Back then, we were attacked from the outside. The enemy was identifiable, unmistakable, shared, and external. We were united in our grief, and we reached out to each other with compassion and support.
Today, the enemy feels closer. It looks like the neighbor with a different yard sign. The colleague across the aisle. The family member who disagrees with you on values you hold dear.
That’s where we are – Divided.
This isn’t a political message; it’s a human one.
When I sit with clients in sessions, they’re not asking me how to win arguments. They’re asking me how to stay grounded in a world that feels unstable, and how to navigate a career or run a business alongside people who hold differing world views and may lack respect for yours or for who you are.
This is what I tell them: It’s about leadership. We’re all called to be leaders in our lives.
Whether you’re leading a team, a business, a family, or just your own day-to-day decisions, you are a leader. Leadership shows up in how we respond when things feel fractured.
There are two paths you can take:
You can divide.
OR
You can inspire.
Inspiration isn’t about ignoring reality or glossing over deep differences. I’m not asking you to be soft or to pretend the values divide isn’t real. I’m asking you to be intentional: To lead with awareness and courage, and to be someone who seeks to uplift anyway, even when you’re feeling down.
This is what I’m calling “The September 12th Test.”
When you’re tempted to judge harshly, to lash out, or to check out altogether – pause.
Ask yourself: Will this divide or inspire? Am I adding to existing negativity or contributing to creating something better?
You may not change the world overnight, but you can change the room you’re in, the conversation you’re having, and the energy you bring.
We may not be able to unify just yet, but we can choose to inspire.
Right now, that’s exactly what the world needs.
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