Widespread confusion about what it takes to be strong

Sometimes we confuse strength with:

Loudness
Brusqueness
An inability to listen
A resistance to seeing the world as it is
An unwillingness to compromise small things to accomplish big ones
Fast talking
Bullying
External unflappability
Callousness
Lying
Policies instead of judgment
...and being a jerk.

Well, once you put it that way, it's pretty clear that none of these things are actually signs of strength.

In fact, they are symptoms of brittleness, of insecurity and of a willful disconnect from the things that matter.

Individuals, organizations, brands and leaders all have a chance to be strong. And can just easily choose to be jerks.

Because it is a choice, isn't it?

I think it's up to us not to get them confused, and to accidentally trust the wrong behaviors or the wrong people.

Strength begins with unwavering resilience, not brittle aggression.