Leadership Lessons in Crisis: X-ennials to the Rescue

While the world falls apart around us, X-ennials are springing to action and leading in crisis. With Volodymyr Zelensky and Jacinda Ardern at the forefront, the gauntlet has been thrown. And it's aimed squarely at challenging polarization and cynicism while imaginatively and pragmatically building a new world together.

Born at the collision of the digital and analog worlds as MTV launched with "Video Killed the Radio Star," X-ennials have an uncanny knack for synthesizing, empathizing, and mobilizing. And they do so with a special potency because of the unique cross-pollination that formed them: a world where the message and the medium are seamlessly grafted.

The unique skills of X-ennial leaders

Marshaling an emotionally intelligent, character-driven, and tech-savvy approach to leadership, they are blending the personal and political in ways hardly seen before. Witness Zelenksy posting on Twitter in an olive-green t-shirt reminiscent of military fatigues proudly introducing the government officials who still have Ukraine's back or his unmistakably brave rejoinder: "I don't need a ride. I need more ammunition." Or rewind to the height of the pandemic with Ardern Zooming to her citizens in sweats shortly after putting her child to sleep, reminding the country that they will persevere together.

Both X-ennials draw on the traditional playbook, doing what Howard Gardner noted as the most important facet of leadership: embodying your message. From Churchill to Einstein and Gandhi to Rosa Parks, we are most comforted, inspired, and engaged by leaders who do what the best art does: show rather than tell. Ardern famously put her money where her mouth was when she took a 20% pay cut during COVID in solidarity with those affected by the financial costs of lockdown.

And yet, X-ennials are doing something even more innovative. They are keenly aware of the importance of being candid, authentic, and personal while also using the power of their role and position, blending them in ways that are even more catalytic, authoritative, and imaginative. Ardern recognized the dual need to be authoritative in closing down her country and creating a clear and forceful prevention program while empathically ministering to children and adults about the inevitable stresses of a crisis. In a brilliant and charming move, she declared tooth fairies essential workers, signaling to both children and adults that the magic and optimism of innocence would remain while protective measures were going full steam ahead. For his part, Zelenksy recognizes the seriousness of the role he has taken on, transforming himself from a comic actor into a general, cheerleader, and comforter-in-chief all in one.

Zelensky and Ardern also do something ripe in the psychological environment right now: They lean into negative emotions rather than avoiding them. From Daniel Pink's The Power of Regret, to Susan Cain's Bittersweet, Brene Brown's Atlas of the Heart, and Susan David's Emotional Agility, generational influencers are converging on the essential need to face rather than fear the difficult. Zelenksy and Ardern don't shy away from the gravity of their situations but neither do they surrender the hope and optimism needed to fight circumstances out of their control. Ironically, in staring down the negative with curiosity and authenticity, individuals, as well as leaders, arrive at more creative and transformational solutions. And even better, they become humanized and real in a way that is a refreshing antidote to the staged polarization we see all around us.

Like good jazz musicians, X-ennial leaders showcase the art of reading the changes, the lightning-speed capacity to make music out of seeming noise. They are open to figuring out how to make something new out of the unexpected challenges and dissonances thrown at them and are willing to cast ego aside to figure out what music they need to play now. Whether a looming pandemic or an invasion, they are quick to prioritize what needs to be addressed and how they can bring their all to it so that the collective benefits.

Whether prepared as a comic actor or as a new mother, both leaders also draw deeply on their baseline skills while leaning into territory completely new to them, relying on experts to help them along the way. At the same time, they trust in their instincts and their authentic connection as compass points when they can't find the North star.

Revising the rules of engagement

X-ennial leaders are revising the rules of engagement as leaders. On the Millennial side of the equation, they seamlessly blend the personal with the professional, On the Gen X side, they are equally adept at leading through example, character, and integrity.

Synthesizers and uniters, X-ennial leaders bridge the divisions of polarization and cynicism with a pragmatically idealistic blend of imagination and reality. If we're lucky, they'll inspire a new generation to rescue us in the next crisis.