Hello , my fellow brave human

Has it sunk in that we are in a new era? What does that mean for you?

I took yesterday off for Milly’s graduation – and what a day it was. Beyond my inevitable case of proudmummyitis, I found myself super excited by the speaker.

There we were, at the very spot where Martin Luther King was awarded an honorary degree from Newcastle University in 1967. All these years later, David Olusoga – the brilliant British-Nigerian historian, broadcaster and all-round good egg – was receiving the same honour.

His speech made my ears prick up. He talked about the new epoch we find ourselves in, and most striking was his assertion that one of the defining features of this new epoch is that there are no rules.

These words echo everything I’ve been writing about New Era Leadership and talking about with The Brave Collective (you can catch up on those thoughts [here]).

Where David and I part ways slightly is his view that we cannot listen to anyone brought up in the post-war era because they don’t understand how this new world works. I disagree – but only marginally.

This is why: there will be at least a 20-30 year stretch before these graduates become the leaders of our world.

In the meantime, it’s down to us.

We are the light-bearers who can use this time to bring on young people whilst learning from them in return. We’re here to fill this crucial time gap. To be as human as we can possibly be, to listen deeply, and to stride forward as the leaders who can help forge a way in this new world, AND nurture this new generation, humbly.

We can bring creativity where there is destruction, calm where there is chaos, light where there is none.

The absence of rules isn’t something to fear – it’s an invitation. An invitation to step into our brilliance, to trust our wisdom, and to lead with the courage that this moment demands.

To choose where we focus our energy wisely.

So here’s my question for you this week:

Given that there are no rules, what can you take back or take up to be bold and move forward as the brave you were born to be?

What would you do if you knew there were no rules stopping you?

Martin Luther King statue, Newcastle University

Here’s to your brilliance

Kirsty x

P.S. If this resonates and you’re ready to explore what brave looks like for you, I’d love to hear from you. Sometimes the most important conversations happen when we realise the old rulebook no longer applies.