This article is part of Finding the Words, a newsletter that delivers practical insights on the day’s issues.

As if the scorching summer temperatures weren't enough, American politics have also heated up to a rolling boil this summer, with this past weekend's assassination attempt on one of our presidential candidates being considered by many a critical tipping point. Parties and politics aside, leaders at every level are being called to comment, weigh in, and do something.

So, what are you to do? What role do these weekend’s events have on you, your organization, and your community? If you think none, I suggest you think again.

As Simon Freakley, CEO of consulting firm AlixPartners said to Fortune Magazine on Monday:

“This is a dramatic reminder that we are heading for a very challenging time, whoever wins the election. CEOs have to be a voice of reason and stability, without being partisan. Employees will look to business leaders for reassurance.”

That ever-so-fine line between being a voice of reason without being partisan can feel increasingly complicated in these times. So, I’m devoting this week’s reflection to a few resources that are helping me and may help you, too:

1. Consider joining an upcoming event hosted by our friends at Truth in Common or WeTheChange. Truth in Common is currently running a multi-part series in Washington DC on how to recognize and disrupt disinformation and WeTheChange currently has a 5-part “Business: A Force for Democracy” series underway designed to equip women leaders with actionable knowledge in advance of the upcoming U.S. elections. Learn the tools required to become a powerful agent of positive change in our democracy.

2. Lean on research. This brief but highly practical paper by Business for America and Dr. Rachel Kleinfeld, senior fellow in the Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, provides 5 key strategies for business leaders to navigate the political landscape. The first recommendation, “proactively take public stands that you can hold throughout the campaign,” is particularly relevant given this past weekend’s events.

3. Don’t discount local news. Instead, invest in it. This article, “How We Know Journalism is Good for Democracy,” written by Josh Stearns and Christine Schmidt, is originally from 2018 (updated in 2023), but it remains one of my go-to resources to explain why local news matters in these divisive moments. Bottom line: Strong local journalism = more people turning out to vote. And that’s what we need for a democracy to work well.

There’s plenty unknown ahead of us. But there’s also plenty we know for sure, including: When it comes to strengthening democracy, we must start with community, and everyone can play a part in building community. So if you’re a leader feeling lost about where to go from here, join our community, stop by a Truth in Common or WeTheChange event and use that community experience to deliver what your colleagues may be needing from you most: reassurance and a way forward.

This post is part of the Finding The Words column, a series published every Wednesday that delivers a dose of communication insights direct to your inbox. If you like what you read, we hope you’ll subscribe to ensure you receive this each week.

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