Leadership, Logic & A White Rabbit (The Friday Ficks S5 E31)

“When logic and proportion have fallen sloppy dead...”

That lyric from Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit,” released nearly 60 years ago, hits hard in today’s business world - where ambiguity, pressure, and nonstop change can make even seasoned leaders feel unmoored.

So how do we stay grounded when the rabbit hole just keeps going?

For me, it’s always been my bike.

As a kid, I rode my Schwinn Stingray like it was an ATV - over curbs, in woods, down stairs, you name it. My dad had to put me on a tire-rationing plan: one per month. I later graduated to a 10-speed Raleigh Record and kept riding, sometimes 25 miles a day with friends during school vacation, powered by chili dogs, ice cream and curiosity.

That bike was more than a ride. It was my reset button. My focus. My compass.

Today, my road bike continues to be that steadying force. On it, the noise fades. Decisions get clearer. I return with perspective, and sometimes, solutions that didn’t exist at my desk.

Leadership today demands clarity, resilience, and emotional steadiness. If you want to lead well, especially in the chaos, you need a personal practice that restores your inner logic and proportion. Something that helps you think again, not just react more.

Maybe for you, it’s not a bike. Maybe it’s a paint brush, the quiet of a workshop, time at the piano, or solo laps in a pool. Whatever it is - find it. Reclaim it. Then protect it fiercely.

Because the strongest leaders aren’t just skilled at guiding others through the chaos. They know how to climb out of the rabbit hole themselves.

Own the day. Own the weekend.

Carl

P.S. I help leaders stay steady in times of challenge and change. If I can be a resource for you, email me: carl@carlficks.com