Your Shiniest Day

I’ve always been intrigued by the lyrics of an old country song I used to listen to growing up.   “Your shiniest day might come in the middle of the night… that’s just about right.”  As a young man, I enjoyed the music but never really stopped to consider the words. 

I recently watched the movie Sully which tells the story of the “Miracle on the Hudson.”   It showcases the remarkable story of how Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger mitigated the crisis of losing both engines shortly after takeoff and made a series of pivotal decisions that miraculously led to saving the lives of all 155 people on board.

Though not to the extent of Captain Sully, we’ve all been in situations that give us some ability to relate. The crushing weight of a seemingly impossible situation, where every path forward appears blocked, and the very air feels thick with despair.   The weight of knowing that the wellbeing of the people who depend on you hangs in the balance of the choices you make and the path you set out upon.  

If we’re being transparent, most of us work hard to avoid the pressure of these moments; but it is in these moments where “greatness” is forged.  As I watched the movie portraying what must have been one of Captain Sully’s darkest nights, I was struck by the realization that for many leaders the contributions for which they are the most remembered, are almost always framed by the moments of their lives that must have been the most difficult. 

“Your shiniest day might come in the middle of the night… that’s just about right…”  Like a picture being brought into focus the words of the old song finally made sense.

I believe true leaders are those that have come to understand this paradox in such a way that they can be present during crisis and courageously act in ways not driven by their primal instinct of self-preservation.  They are those that have cultivated the discipline to act altruistically for the good of others despite any increased risk this creates for themselves in the moment.   

Throughout history, these leaders have shown us that inspiring hope isn't about ignoring the grim realities facing the people that they lead, but rather it is about illuminating a path through them. It's about seeing possibility where others see only defeat, and then, with unwavering conviction, guiding their team towards that glimmer of light.

So what are some of the core takeaways that we can learn from Captain Sully and others?

• Remain calm under pressure: When a leader maintains their cool in a crisis, it projects an aura of control that can calm the fears of those around them.
• Communicated clearly and decisively: Sully demonstrated no ambiguity in his commands. Everyone knew what needed to be done, even in the face of the unknown.
• Focus on solutions, not problems: Instead of dwelling on the catastrophic engine failure, he immediately shifted his focus to finding a viable alternative.
• He demonstrated unwavering belief: His actions showed an absolute conviction that a positive outcome was possible, even if it required an extraordinary feat.

Your "shiniest day" might not involve landing a plane on a river, but the principle remains the same. When faced with overwhelming challenges, look be the leader who, even in the "middle of the night," works to illuminate a path forward.

It's not about ignoring the darkness, but about finding, and then bravely pursuing, the light within it.