The war against despair is up to you, new media

Written by

Warning: this content is older than 365 days. It may be out of date and no longer relevant.

It has become depressingly apparent that no leadership, no guidance, no inspiration will be forthcoming from any of the traditional sources in our society. Our politicians are locked in partisan bickering with each other, fighting like junkyard dogs over scraps. Our financial leaders are in a tailspin. Our heroes are largely fictional now at best.

The war against despair is up to you, new media 1 This creates a void and sets our society adrift. There is, however, a new source of leadership, of wisdom, of inspiration.

How many of you have blogs?

Podcasts?

MySpace & Facebook accounts and groups?

Twitter accounts?

How many of you have at least 10 listeners/followers/fans?

100?

1,000?

If you have reach that exceeds 10 people, then you can step up to lead. If you have reach that exceeds 100 people, then you may be asked to lead. If you have thousands who follow you and call you a leader whether or not you feel like one, then you must, here and now, accept that mantle of leadership. You must don the cape and boots even if you feel as though they were made for someone else.

You have been called.

Here is what your followers need of you. They need not only to be pushed away, but to be pulled towards.

It’s not enough to say what to avoid; you have to provide your followers with something to do. A mission. A calling. A focus that will let them in their passion and intensity drown out the voices of panic around them so that they can generate momentum with you. Pick your cause, pick your battle, and engage your followers.

Direct them towards a mission, towards a goal, towards something that provides tangible benefit so that they can get the ball rolling in their homes, neighborhoods, and communities. Give your followers missions and tasks towards the goal you are united for, and you will help them to realign themselves away from chaos and panic towards growth, progress, and even prosperity. Ask them to give and give double what they do. Lead through example.

Despair thrives in confusion and inaction.
Despair withers under the heat and light of passion.
Despair dies in the face of confident leadership.

You have the following. You have the crowd. Your community and the people who respect you need you now more than ever.

Step up.

Did you enjoy this blog post? If so, please subscribe right now!

Get this and other great articles from the source at www.ChristopherSPenn.com

Comments

28 responses to “The war against despair is up to you, new media”

October 10, 2008

amachina

Great Post Chris.

It's so easy to join the pity party, but wallowing in despair does no one any good. We need to step up to demonstrate confident leadership. Be the change we wish to see in the world so to speak. We all need to do our part to help our clients, neighbors, friends and colleagues see that we can create the light at the end of the tunnel. The time to take action is now.

Reply
October 10, 2008

chelpixie

I just got off the phone with my mom not two minutes ago. I can't fix what's going on for them, but I did give her a goal. A clear cut goal toward making money.

It's not good news but now she has something to focus on other than the worry. Now is the time to direct these type of helpful moves to your family, friends, and your network. Help them, because it's important to help others instead of investing in panic that breeds more panic.

Reply
October 10, 2008

deb kolaras

good inspiration and I am a major advocate of doing instead of watching. Thanks for the post.

Reply
October 10, 2008

paul merrill

Great post!

Let's spread some positive and helpful messages.

Reply
October 10, 2008

Dayngr

You got it commander!

Reply
October 10, 2008

Carla Lynne Hall

Oh man, how can anyone resist a powerful call to action like this?

I refuse to participate in the recession, and I'm grateful to hear a voice in the wilderness that speaks of growth and prosperity.

Thank you for the nudge. I accept the mantle.

Reply
October 10, 2008

Candice

Great post! I've been feeling the same way for a few days and finally blogged it in regards to the great opportunity before us. http://fashionethic.blogspot.com/ Why despair?

Reply
October 10, 2008

Adrianne Machina

Great Post Chris.

It's so easy to join the pity party, but wallowing in despair does no one any good. We need to step up to demonstrate confident leadership. Be the change we wish to see in the world so to speak. We all need to do our part to help our clients, neighbors, friends and colleagues see that we can create the light at the end of the tunnel. The time to take action is now.

Reply
October 10, 2008

Chel Wolverton

I just got off the phone with my mom not two minutes ago. I can't fix what's going on for them, but I did give her a goal. A clear cut goal toward making money.

It's not good news but now she has something to focus on other than the worry. Now is the time to direct these type of helpful moves to your family, friends, and your network. Help them, because it's important to help others instead of investing in panic that breeds more panic.

Reply
October 10, 2008

deb kolaras

good inspiration and I am a major advocate of doing instead of watching. Thanks for the post.

Reply
October 10, 2008

paul merrill

Great post!

Let's spread some positive and helpful messages.

Reply
October 10, 2008

Dayngr

You got it commander!

Reply
October 10, 2008

carlalynnehall

Oh man, how can anyone resist a powerful call to action like this?

I refuse to participate in the recession, and I'm grateful to hear a voice in the wilderness that speaks of growth and prosperity.

Thank you for the nudge. I accept the mantle.

Reply
October 10, 2008

Candice

Great post! I've been feeling the same way for a few days and finally blogged it in regards to the great opportunity before us. http://fashionethic.blogspot.com/ Why despair?

Reply
October 11, 2008

Albert Willis

Thanks for the kick in the pants/reminder Chris. Even with all of the bad stuff going on, there are also going to be once-in-a lifetime opportunities—we need to be prepared.

Reply
October 11, 2008

zackbrandit

I'm a Hero, though I'm partially fictional.
I'm a blogger with an increasing network ( though I recently started).
I certainly have a mission, a calling!

But am I a leader?
Time will tell and my next post will hopefully help.

Reply
October 11, 2008

Albert Willis

Thanks for the kick in the pants/reminder Chris. Even with all of the bad stuff going on, there are also going to be once-in-a lifetime opportunities—we need to be prepared.

Reply
October 11, 2008

stevegarfield

I'm starting a new weekday radio show about HOPE on blogtalkradio. Starting Monday, October 13th at 3:00 PM EST.

All the details are over here:
http://offonatangent.blogspot.com/2008/10/steve…

I'm tired of hearing all the negative talk.

Join in.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/stevegarfield

Guest call-in number: (347) 215-8647

This show will broadcast daily at 3:00, starting Monday October 13th and end on Monday November 3rd.

Thanks,
–Steve

Reply
October 11, 2008

zackbrandit

I'm a Hero, though I'm partially fictional.
I'm a blogger with an increasing network ( though I recently started).
I certainly have a mission, a calling!

But am I a leader?
Time will tell and my next post will hopefully help.

Reply
October 11, 2008

stevegarfield

I'm starting a new weekday radio show about HOPE on blogtalkradio. Starting Monday, October 13th at 3:00 PM EST.

All the details are over here:
http://offonatangent.blogspot.com/2008/10/steve…

I'm tired of hearing all the negative talk.

Join in.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/stevegarfield

Guest call-in number: (347) 215-8647

This show will broadcast daily at 3:00, starting Monday October 13th and end on Monday November 3rd.

Thanks,
–Steve

Reply
October 11, 2008

jeffmcneill

Hi Chris,

Leadership also needs a vision. Somewhere to go. We got where we are because of a leadership that had bankrupt ideas. I don't think we need more leadership like that. We need better ideas first.

Reply
October 11, 2008

jeffmcneill

Hi Chris,

Leadership also needs a vision. Somewhere to go. We got where we are because of a leadership that had bankrupt ideas. I don't think we need more leadership like that. We need better ideas first.

Reply
October 12, 2008

CCGAL

Well said. I've blogged about this and twittered it. I hope many others will do the same.

Reply
October 12, 2008

Barb

Found you via Chris Brogan.

You clearly have a very positive spirit, and I commend you for that.

I only take issue with your headline. It is not somehow “up to” new media to do something about our national malaise and “someone ELSE will fix it” attitude. Any forms of media are the means, not the end.

Just one small example–I'm on the board of Friends of the Falls, which works to engage people with the Spokane River so they will learn to love it and keep it clean, safe and accessible for generations to come.

Last Saturday we held our sixth annual Spokane River Clean-up. Over 800 people showed up to haul trash out of the woods. These people may or may not have high-speed Internet connections. But they lead.

–barb
http://www.friendsofthefalls.org

Reply
October 12, 2008

CCGAL

Well said. I've blogged about this and twittered it. I hope many others will do the same.

Reply
October 12, 2008

CCGAL

Well said. I've blogged about this and twittered it. I hope many others will do the same.

Reply
October 12, 2008

Barb

Found you via Chris Brogan.

You clearly have a very positive spirit, and I commend you for that.

I only take issue with your headline. It is not somehow “up to” new media to do something about our national malaise and “someone ELSE will fix it” attitude. Any forms of media are the means, not the end.

Just one small example–I'm on the board of Friends of the Falls, which works to engage people with the Spokane River so they will learn to love it and keep it clean, safe and accessible for generations to come.

Last Saturday we held our sixth annual Spokane River Clean-up. Over 800 people showed up to haul trash out of the woods. These people may or may not have high-speed Internet connections. But they lead.

–barb
http://www.friendsofthefalls.org

Reply
October 12, 2008

Barb

Found you via Chris Brogan.

You clearly have a very positive spirit, and I commend you for that.

I only take issue with your headline. It is not somehow “up to” new media to do something about our national malaise and “someone ELSE will fix it” attitude. Any forms of media are the means, not the end.

Just one small example–I'm on the board of Friends of the Falls, which works to engage people with the Spokane River so they will learn to love it and keep it clean, safe and accessible for generations to come.

Last Saturday we held our sixth annual Spokane River Clean-up. Over 800 people showed up to haul trash out of the woods. These people may or may not have high-speed Internet connections. But they lead.

–barb
http://www.friendsofthefalls.org

Reply