How to Lead in the Age of Disillusionment

3 ideas for reframing today’s narrative to inspire and engage young people

One of the more troubling challenges leaders face today isn’t just organizational—it’s generational. Too many young professionals, fresh out of school, carry with them a pervasive sense of disillusionment. 

They’ve been told, implicitly and explicitly, that they are living in the worst country at the worst time in history. Whether it’s the 24/7 news cycle, social media algorithms optimized for outrage, or an academic culture that emphasizes critique over gratitude, the message is clear: The system is broken, the future is bleak, and the best days are behind us.

That narrative, while emotionally charged, is not only misleading—it’s deeply corrosive. It drains motivation, stifles innovation, and chips away at the belief that personal effort can lead to meaningful change. As leaders, we have a responsibility to push back—not by glossing over our nation’s flaws, but by offering clarity, perspective, and a better story about what’s possible.

We leaders, mentors, and coaches have a responsibility to challenge and reframe this mindset. 

We do this not through blind patriotism or wishful thinking, but by offering perspective, promoting gratitude, and modeling constructive engagement. 

Here’s the truth: With all of its flaws, the United States remains one of the most opportunity-rich societies in the world, and we are living—still—in one of the most remarkable periods in human history.

Understanding the Origins of Disillusionment

Let’s be clear—if you’re in your twenties and scanning the horizon, it’s easy to conclude the deck is stacked against you.

Indeed, many of the concerns young professionals voice are valid. Inequality exists. Climate change is real. Political division is stark. Housing is expensive. Higher education has saddled many with debt. The job market can feel uncertain. 

But our country is not irredeemable or unjust. This characterization is simply inaccurate, and the message is demoralizing, disempowering, and ultimately counterproductive. 

So we must step up and add balance to the narrative!

While problems exist, so do unprecedented tools for solving them. Innovation is accelerating. Access to information is unmatched. Career paths are more diverse and flexible than ever. And despite the noise, most people still want to do good work, build meaningful lives, and contribute to something larger than themselves.

Here are three ideas leaders can use to reclaim the story and provide the leadership young people need to flourish.

First, Provide Needed Perspective and Outline the Possibilities

Leadership, at its core, is about helping people see clearly—not just what is, but what could be. That requires honesty, yes, but also perspective. As Winston Churchill famously noted, “The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees opportunity in every difficulty.”

Young professionals need to hear from us that progress is possible because progress has happened. 

Compared to even a generation ago, we’ve seen extraordinary gains in health, technology, human rights, and global poverty reduction. This country—imperfect and unfinished as it may be—remains a place where talent, creativity, and hard work can still open doors.

Are there barriers? Yes. But there are also pathways, too.

Second, Reframe the Narrative From Cynicism to Ownership

Cynicism feels smart, and it’s easy to accomplish. In fact, you can sit on your couch and successfully be cynical. No effort needed!

However, changing something takes effort. In fact, making something better than it was before requires courage. But you have to “own” it before you can make change happen.

We must help young professionals choose to take ownership—not just of their careers, but of their contributions to their communities and their country.

When they see themselves not as critics standing on the sidelines but as the players on the field, everything changes. They begin to lean in. They start thinking long-term. They collaborate, create, and lead.

And that’s the energy every healthy organization—and every democracy—needs.

Third, Promote Action Over Complacency

Recognizing the freedoms, opportunities, and innovation we enjoy should inspire action, not passivity; young professionals must be encouraged to do something to make things better. Instead of framing activism as opposition to a broken nation, we might invite them to see it as an opportunity to contribute to something worth preserving and perfecting. 

This simple mindset shift should drive us to close the gap between what is and what ought to be.

Remember, if they speak up, take initiative, and challenge the status quo, it’s not because they’re angry—it’s because they see what could be, and they care enough to act.

Despite what news outlets want us to believe, the purest form of patriotism isn’t forged out of nostalgia or critique—it’s co-created through participation. 

Final Thought

America is flawed. Every country is. But we are not without hope, and we are certainly not without opportunity. Leaders must help young professionals resist the false comfort of pessimism and instead embrace the hard but meaningful work of participation and ownership. The future isn’t written. But it is ours to lead.

Written by: James M. Kerr, a leadership coach specializing in developing leaders who want to lead like a coach, for Psychology Today.