In July of 2018 our son Judah was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota. We brought him home after he was born at Abbott Northwestern Hospital. After we loaded him up in our car we cautiously took a right-hand turn onto Chicago Avenue South and went north. After three miles of winding through the streets of downtown Minneapolis we carried Judah up to his new room in our two bedroom apartment.

Had we taken a left on Chicago Avenue South after leaving the hospital and headed south one mile, instead of north towards our apartment, we would have driven to Cup Foods where George Floyd’s life was taken on the side of the street we would have been driving on.

One mile from where life began for our son Judah; life ended for George Floyd. On the exact same street, in the exact same city. On Chicago Ave South - life was given to Judah and taken from George Floyd.

There’s significance in a mile. There’s significance in the experiences that are being had by people of different races and cultural backgrounds along a stretch of one mile. It’s clear we’re not all having the same experience on Chicago Ave South and many other streets in this country. I can’t help but think of the difference one mile can make.

I’ve been reflecting a lot about the concept of proximity and how proximity plays a big role in how we perceive the world. An awareness of Proximity - “nearness in time, space, or relationship” - is the mark of a great leader. Someone with an awareness of proximity understands the measure of distance towards a subject or issue or person will likely determine our level of concern.

Without close proximity - we have a hard time actually understanding complex concerns. With distant proximity, the issues of our day become political points, topics to debate, and arguments to wage on social media.

Close proximity - nearness in relationship,  changes everything. Close proximity means if you are hurting, I can see it and feel it and it causes me to hurt with you.

Distant proximity - remoteness in relationship, means if you are hurting, I can only create theories or opinions for why your hurt exists because I’m not close enough to fully understand. With close proximity, it becomes our pain. With distant proximity, it remains only your pain. 

It’s because of the proximity of our hearts to the city of Minneapolis and people in the city who are hurting that my wife and I have been hurting this last week. Chicago Ave South is a significant street in our lives. The Twin Cities are a significant chapter in our marriage. If we had just observed on news networks - distant proximity, I’m sure we would feel differently.

But we’ve walked those streets. For the first year of his life, Judah spent most of his days in Minneapolis. He went to daycare right in the heart of Elliot Park in the city. We’ve made relationships with people in the city who feel unheard. We’ve been in the stores that were looted. We’ve been in the stores that are burnt to the ground. As this has all unfolded, we truthfully wish we were there. 

As time has passed, a lot chaos has ensued in much of our country. There has been a massive void in leadership. It has provoked much thought surrounding questions of great leadership and the absence of leadership. How does a leader lead in chaos? How do we make sure as leaders, our voice doesn’t just join the droning of “noise?”

There is so much noise these days, there’s not much wisdom and leadership these days. Ultimately, leadership is influence. Chaos can cause some to lose influence and others to gain influence. Those who lead in chaos maintain their posture of influence. They become a voice people want to hear. They aren’t talking just to talk.

Here are five characteristics I’ve noticed in influential leaders in this time of chaos. 

1.) They have trained for chaos

A leader cannot wait for chaos to be on their doorstep and expect a proper response. Leaders cultivate a rhythm of life preparing for the chaotic times. Leaders who create a rhythm of reflection and processing long before panic has begun will be far better prepared to lead. A leader must be a critical thinker - challenging their own beliefs, always looking for an evolution of their vantage point. They must repeat this process over and over so when things are bursting at the seams - they have clarity. They have studied for the test. They aren’t cramming the night before. They must be wrestling with concepts and ideas well before the building is on fire. If not, the emotions of the situation will not allow the leader to influence at a capacity that will help anyone. 

2.) They listen before they speak

Wise people are rarely ever the first to speak. Wise leaders are not interested in just “adding to the noise.” A leader in the midst of chaos understands SOMEONE must take a pause to assess the situation. Someone must be of sober mind and not just emotion. The general population may be able to fly off the handle and speak without listening or thinking - but not a leader. Every time a leader speaks, their words must move those they lead together. A leader doesn’t just blurt out the first thing on their mind. They don’t just let their emotional processing spill out on their social media account. A true influencer isn’t going to step to the microphone until they have something worthy of being said. In this time of pain, division, and chaos leaders must listen before they speak.

3.) They don’t oversimplify the complexities at hand

Chaos is rarely incited by neat, pretty, organized rows of opinion. Things are not always “black and white.” A leader must lean in to the complexities of our day. In order to preserve influence we must fight the urge to put everything in a neat box. The answer is not just some quick slogan. It’s not just some tidied up phrase. An open mind does not mean living life absent of convictions. A leader must see every angle, every perspective, so as to understand all of the vantage points of those they lead. The more a leader simplifies complex situations, the more they limit their vantage point of the problem. It’s tough to lead with a limited view. A true influencer can embrace the messiness of culture and life. They don’t just think: “If only the “other side” would get their act together we’d have no trouble.” There’s over 328 million people in this country. A leader in chaos realizes the complexities and issues of over 328 million people can’t be simplified to one cozy solution. There are deeper layers here. Deeper issues to wrestle with. A leader fights to embrace the issues and not oversimplify. 

4.) They act instead of just talking

It may feel like we’re leveraging social media for a cause. But, weighing in via twitter,  facebook, instagram from our homes in between episodes of Netflix is not action. “Well it’s better than nothing” - is not leading in chaos. Leadership always costs us something. It costs even more in chaos. If a person wants to lead or influence it will cost them their free time. It will deplete their energy. It will at times completely destroy a sense of normalcy in their life. It will inconvenience their date night. It will reorganize their plans for the week. Leaders don’t turn social media into their own personal journals. A leader finds a better avenue for journaling and processing what is going on in their mind and soul. Public journaling is not action - it may feel like we are risking something by sharing what is on our heart. But there’s really no risk at all in a tweet or an instagram post. It’s not really “skin in the game” Leaders are willing to engage in their community. Face to face - not face to screen.  They use their hands and feet to lead and serve.

5.) They close proximity - and usher in hope

A great leader in chaos closes the proximity and moves towards the problem. They know who their neighbor is. They don’t look away from pain. A great leader is a hope broker. They sell genuine hope - not false hope. They communicate a future that is unseen and then begin with the work in their own heart to lead the way. They don’t shy away - they don’t look away. A great leader knows if they look away - they aren’t leading. Closing the proximity is inconvenient. Not everyone will choose to do it. But a great leader will.

Stay The Course,

JB