Anticipation of things which could happen drives many behaviors in western live. Caution, care and prevention lead to daily life decisions westerners make. Whether it is crossing a road, bringing an umbrella, taking vitamin or having a plan B for business purposes. Sometimes this leads to extremes and we see a phenomenon which can be coined as ‘double worry’ – i.e. worry as much before things happen as when they actually happen. To some extend a waste of energy which is more often seen on women then men.

In the Eastern European part of the world people seem surprisingly reluctant to prepare and prevent things from going wrong. Fed by governments who would abruptly make irreversible, unexpected and often undesired decisions which could not be debated. Moreover in general people’s experiences has led the  believe that something will go wrong anyhow – and as you don’t know which factor will be causing it, you might as well wait till it occurs!

This leads to a limited sense of prevention. Leading to a consequence that it’s not the unexpected things which catch people by surprise but the expected. You should expect an old pipe to burst. A person not feeling well to get sick. Traffic being jammed on a Friday afternoon. And a long before announced law to actually get introduced. But these often come as a surprise. So the predictable becomes the unpredictable.

But a remarkable gift has developed when things do go wrong.  An amazingly pragmatic, coordinated and effective way to react when the undesired  happens. It’s at these moments that true leaders stand up, coalitions unite and brave decisions are being made instantly. No egos, no attitudes, no hesitation. A sudden well oiled, smooth rolling machine. Unseen before. Here is where western societies will ponder and wonder. Debate and argue. Seek individual moment of glory or hide in safe corners and avoid tough decisions.

Powerful and determined. Suddenly you understand the power of the collective. Especially in times of downturn and challenge. If this united strength could be applied not only to solve issues but also to prevent and moreover inspire new developments we could see a thriving leading force in the future.

For leading you have to plan, to look ahead. See whats coming. Feel what is coming. Tell what is coming. And believe. Interestingly enough it’s actually the amazing talent to anticipate so well which seems to hold back the faster development of the opportunity to lead.