Signals for what’s next – and what matters
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Hey Reader,
“Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it; boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” – Goethe
You can be bold or you can be comfortable, but you can’t be both.
Too many people, myself included, opt to surf rather than make waves.
We mask these choices as being reasonable, mature or considered.
We don’t realize we lose opportunity, adventure and our souls in the process.
The opportunities and the problems we have are abundant. We need a commensurate audacity to meet the moment.
Elon and Trump, for all their flaws, have mastered this skill set.
But can we model it in a humane way? What is the stack for ethical audacity?
It will require a
- Clear inner narrative
- Comfort with not being liked
- Mission bigger than yourself
The ability to act boldly in the face of risk and ridicule isn’t just for outliers. It’s a skill—rooted in identity, tempered by values, and forged through exposure.
“Do. Or do not do. There is no try” – Yoda
Ethical audacity is a framework that can explain the widespread institutional failures and political culture we find ourselves in.
And institutional failure is, of course, code for a breakdown in the social contract.
On balance, the left lacks audacity. And simply has debates over what is ethical – often to an inane degree. Progressives Derek Thompson and Ezra Klein’s recent book Abundance – which argues we need to focus on pro growth policies to build homes and hospitals – is essentially an argument to be audacious.
The right has no shortage of moxie but has devolved into a bizarre pagan cult like entity that bears little resemblance to traditional conservatism. Ethics are in short supply.
Ethical audacity could help address some troubling cultural trends
- Cancel culture – this is a debated term but there is a broad sense on both the left and right of group think – favoring consensus and ideology over open debate. Being audacious means intelligently speaking your mind, but more importantly – listening.
- Boldness as toxicity – right now, audacity is a marker of sociopathy by people that live off fame and drive the news cycle. Time to take it back and reclaim its virtuous nature.
- Permission seeking – Too many people are still not fully participating because of institutional gatekeeping.
Ethical audacity could be the rise of the new integrated hero – living in integrity but moving in purpose. It creates a cultural lane for generative power, not just disruptive or extractive, that is both transformational and redemptive.
In a world caught between chaos and conformity, this is can be the source of a new myth to reinvigorate us.
The Psychological Stack of Kicking Ass
Elon and Trump fail because they cannot separate resilience from narcissism, boldness from delusion, and criticism from collapse.
But that won’t be your undoing.
Take their good and discard their bad:
In essence ethical audacity is
- Clarity – Knowing your true values and vision.
- Courage – Acting boldly in alignment with them.
- Containment – Holding power responsibly, without spilling into ego, harm, or chaos. The last prevents audacity from becoming recklessness.
As long as you primarily focus on what you have to lose and not what you have to gain, your life will always be less than what it could be.
A Higher Power
But why? Why would anyone take on the stress, criticism and uncertainty with boldness? Music journalist Neil Strauss has a provocative answer in profiling the world’s biggest music stars: they believe they are sent by God.
It is a ludicrous idea – that God divinely cares if Lady Gaga wins at the Grammy’s – but I’ve worked with enough top performers and true geniuses to know they believe they are guided by some supernatural force, even if they can’t name it.
An empowering narrative always win.
Create a myth and you’ll be legendary. Don’t believe me? Trust Batman:
Headlines not Footnotes
Many of history’s giants, from MLK to Gandhi, were rebellious, controversial and attacked in their time. The gloss of museum glass has stripped them off their audacity.
Civil disobedience is disobedient by definition.
Jesus said the meek will inherit the Earth, but his own message was counter cultural and profoundly revolutionary. Nothing meek in that.
Their mantra might be summed up: “I am willing to be disliked in order to be true.”
This is the new warrior ethic: brave, clear, and clean.
Whether starting a company, a movement or a family, it’s one I suggest you consider.
Then tell me what happens.
The Framework for Building Ethical Audacity
Phase 1: Clarify your Core – Anchor in your values
- What do you serve that’s bigger than yourself? (North Star)
- What’s your code? (Principles > Performance)
- Know your Shadow (You have failed yourself before. Watch for recurrence)
Phase 2: Train your Nervous System
Phase 3: Build a Containment System
- Red team – Steelman can be an asset. Find the truth in your opponent’s views
- Kitchen cabinet – Everyone needs a team to keep them in check. Batman had Harvey Dent and Commissioner Gordon. Who’s yours?
Phase 4: Move with Sacred Boldness
- Act in alignment, not for applause
- Risk audit: weekly, ask yourself: do I have something on the line? The personal stakes will drive professional action. Risk something that matters.
Postscript
I speak of boldness but I admit I often don’t model it.
I grew up in a house of conflict, chaos and catastrophe.
Keeping the peace was my way of survival.
But I’ve slowly come to learn the walls of safety become the walls of self imprisonment.
Staying safe will make you feel good. Risking danger will make you feel alive.
Boldness is not easy – but it’s the only thing that will redeem our lives and help build a better world.
Speak your truth to power and eventually your truth becomes power.
Tomorrow Can’t Wait,
