Our world today is grappling with a mix of formidable challenges. Geopolitical tension and war, deterioration of trust in major institutions, income inequality, rising authoritarianism, pervasive corruption and swelling crime are but a handful of dozens of issues in dire need of solutions. It’s a complex landscape. Add to this our daily personal, family and job stresses, and it’s clear why many feel overwhelmed and ultimately disengage or worse.
One statistic stands out, particularly for me as a parent of two teenage sons: In 2021, suicide became the second leading cause of death among people aged 10 to 24. This rate increased from 6.8 deaths per 100,000 in 2007 to 11.0 in 2021. These numbers are more than just statistics—they’re a stark reminder of our fundamental responsibility as leaders to not only make things better but to build hope and resilience that ensure a better tomorrow can be realized. What’s the most effective tool we have for this? Optimism.
Greg Salvato is a valued CCNG member sharing his insights and experience on a variety of topics including leadership in the customer care field. Greg is CEO TouchPoint One, a leading provider of employee engagement and performance management solutions for contact centers.
