Seeing The Here and Now

Seeing The Here and Now

From Daily Creative with Todd Henry by Todd Henry

February 17, 2026 · 8 min · Season 1 · Episode 96

About this episode

This episode discusses the importance of recognizing and acting on immediate opportunities in leadership.

In this episode, we explore the rarely recognized power of “seeing the here and now.” Using a memorable scene from Spielberg’s Lincoln as a launchpad, we dig into what it really means to rise to those unique, decisive moments that have the potential to alter the trajectory of our organizations, teams, and lives. While it’s easy (and comfortable) to stick to established plans and long-term strategies, the real challenge—and opportunity—lies in perceiving the pressing realities and fleeting openings right in front of us. We break down why leaders often miss out: from the tendency to seek only confirming data, to deferring action until it's "more convenient," or sticking with yesterday's plan at the expense of today's opportunities. We discuss how recognizing and responding to converging tensions, personal convictions, and unexpected resources can set you apart as a brave leader who changes the game. Because, as we remind ourselves, the hardest thing isn't to plan, but to see what’s possible now—and act on it while the window is open. Five Key Learnings: Not all moments are equal. Some situations are true inflection points that demand we notice and act, not simply follow the plan…

People in this episode

Host: Todd Henry

Topics covered

  • leadership
  • decision making
  • opportunity
  • organizational change
  • self-awareness

Keywords

  • leadership
  • decision making
  • opportunity
  • inflection points
  • self-awareness
  • strategic planning

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Lincoln

More episodes of Daily Creative with Todd Henry

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Daily Creative with Todd Henry podcast page.