Fundamentals of Level Three Leadership

47. Hope Is Not a Strategy

Concept

“Hope is not a strategy.” The source of this phrase is unclear. Rudy Giuliani and the Reverend Akande used it in 2009. I was making this comment in classes prior to 2000. Later, it became a comment in presidential campaigns.¹ Like many things, there may have been a parallel development; that said, early on I became distrustful of students’ in-class statements like, “I hope so.” and “Hopefully, they will respond.” Students would propose something and then add on, “I hope that will do it.” Usually, it was a substitute for more careful thinking like, “If I did that, what would happen? I might get A or B or C. How would I deal with each?”

This is a simple chapter—but it can have a deep impact. Whenever you find ...