Pocket Change: How uncertainty in the U.S. impacts the 🌎
iStock credit: da-kuk
We now have fewer than 40 days until we finish one of the most chaotic and unpredictable U.S. presidential elections in our lifetimes – notably historic due to criminal indictments, last-minute candidate switching, and multiple assassination attempts. As I’ve been having conversations with our global clients over the past few weeks, I'm struck by how a sense of uncertainty is radiating beyond our borders. The anxiety is palpable, and it’s been a stark reminder of America's outsized influence.
In August, I was on site working with the digital comms team at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The air was electric with a mix of excitement and nervous energy, as we prepared to introduce the world to a new candidate who’d been at the top of the ticket for less than a month. Since the convention, that energy has been mimicked online, as people are both excited about a potential new direction, and continually ask for more information about Kamala Harris and her policy positions. The Harris campaign knows that despite the renewed energy in the Democratic ticket, despite her recent strong debate performance, she is still the underdog in the race.
After the DNC, I flew to Paris to host a global leadership training, and in conversations with people from around the world, it became clear that everyone is watching the U.S. with bated breath. The outcome of our election has far-reaching implications for global trade, international relations, and economic stability – and this cycle, even if the outcome in November is clear, it may not be enough to stop the uncertainty.
The last few months have served as a powerful example of why it's so crucial for leaders to develop their skills in managing uncertainty. The most effective leaders I've observed during this time are those who are actively providing a sense of stability and direction, even while they remain in wait-and-see mode. They're able to make informed decisions based on available information, communicate transparently with their teams, and remain flexible enough to adapt when circumstances change. The U.S. election may be the catalyst for much of the current anxiety, but if the past few years have taught us anything, the next major disruption is right around the corner.
Keeping an eye on:
A.I. BUBBLES – Are we close to the A.I. bubble bursting? Possibly. But either way, democracy needs new tools to regulate the fast-growing technology.
ISSUE VIBES – Crime is down in my hometown of Chicago… but it doesn’t feel like it. Reminds me of the so-called “vibecession.”
MALIGNANT OVERLORDS – The owners of social media platforms top global concerns about misinformation. Probably doesn’t help when one of them is building A.I. that is actively promoting false election information.
EXTREME HEAT – This past summer was marked with record-setting heat across much of the U.S. Maybe that’s a way to make climate change more personally relevant?
RTO CUL-DE-SACS – The research on remote work productivity and return-to-office mandates is mixed at best. Maybe that’s why Amazon employees are unhappy about its new five-days-a-week policy.
PORTFOLIO CAREERS – I’ve long been an advocate for portfolio careers, but they’re not for everyone – especially when economic conditions force us into them.
