Are you chicken little or the courageous leader?
How the “Big Beautiful Bill” Exposed the Fear That’s Always Been There—And the Choice Every Solar Leader Must Now Make
BRENT ATTAWAY
There’s a buzz in the solar world right now. A mix of nervous energy, uncertainty, and speculation. People are talking about the new proposed legislation—what some are calling the “Big Beautiful Bill.” And while its future is still undecided, the reactions to it have already revealed something far deeper than just policy shifts.
They’ve revealed fear.
And that fear isn’t just about the bill. It’s about the unknown. It’s about change. And it’s something that shows up in every corner of humanity—politics, religion, business, and definitely in our industry.
So here’s the real question:
Will you be Chicken Little… or will you be a courageous leader?
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A Familiar Fork in the Road
Let me say this up front: both paths are hard.
It’s hard to spiral into panic and pull your team into the storm of fear. It’s hard to lead with courage, optimism, and conviction when the future feels uncertain. As the quote goes:
“Choose your hard.”
(Shout out to the many motivational minds who’ve echoed that truth over the years.)
But the hard that comes with leadership?
That’s the one that builds something lasting. Something worthy.
“Choose your hard.”
Fear Isn’t the Enemy. Paralysis Is.
I want to be clear—I’m not here to shame anyone for feeling fear. Fear has wisdom. It alerts us to threats. It wakes us up. But left unchecked, it can also paralyze us. It convinces us to quit. To blame. To spread panic disguised as concern.
I’ve seen it already. People posting online as if the sky is falling. Claiming solar is doomed. That it’s over.
But it’s not.
In fact, at the time I’m writing this, the bill hasn’t even passed the Senate. It’s still a proposal—a conversation starter, not a final decision. That means most of the fear we’re seeing?
It’s based entirely on imagination, not fact.
And when your imagination runs the show, facts don’t stand a chance.
“Most of the fear we’re seeing isn’t reality. It’s just imagination dressed up like fact.”
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What to Do While the World Waits
So what do you do now? While the country debates and social feeds spin?
You lead.
You sell.
You focus on the facts, and you use urgency the right way—not through panic, but through purpose.
Yes, the future of the ITC tax credit is uncertain. Yes, you should inform homeowners honestly. But that doesn’t mean you stop helping them. It doesn’t mean you stop believing in the value of what we offer. In fact, if anything, the urgency is higher than it’s ever been.
If you’re in sales, now’s the time to partner with trustworthy installers. Ones that will be around long-term. Ones who honor your work and take care of the homeowner.
If you’re a business owner, now’s the time to sharpen your systems, elevate your culture, and lead your team through the storm—not away from it.
This Might Be the Greatest Opportunity Yet
You know what happens in every industry shake-up?
Most people run.
A few rise.
The ones who rise aren’t the ones who avoid fear—they’re the ones who learn from it. They see the cracks in the old way and build something better. They collaborate, innovate, and bring others along.
This shift might just be the biggest land grab solar has ever seen. Why?
Because fear makes people retreat.
And when they do, it creates space—for bold leaders, creative thinkers, and courageous builders to step up.
That could be you.
“Most of the fear we’re seeing isn’t reality. It’s just imagination dressed up like fact.”
Courage Is Contagious
I’ve posted several times lately trying to encourage this mindset. Not to ignore reality—but to reframe it. To remind you that we don’t need more fear. We need more leadership.
If you’ve been called to this industry, and you still believe in its mission—don’t sit down now. Don’t let speculation silence you. Be the one who rallies your team. The one who gathers data, studies the facts, finds the opportunity, and then leads others to it.
That’s who I’m writing to in this article.
The future leaders.
The ones who understand that courage is a choice.
The ones who may still feel fear—but refuse to bow to it.
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In Closing
This bill may change some things. It may challenge our current models. But it won’t break this industry unless we let it. Solar was never built on comfort. It was built by pioneers, risk-takers, and visionaries who believed in something better.
So as we stand at this fork in the road…
Remember, both paths are hard.
But only one builds a future worth walking toward.
Choose your hard. And lead.
About The Author
Brent Attaway
Brent Attaway is a published author, professional speaker, and creator of the Fortune Engines Framework, helping solar leaders and entrepreneurs build businesses rooted in systems, strategy, and purpose. He’s the publisher of Solar Business Insider and founder of CRMX, a leading automation platform for the home services industry. With two decades of experience in sales and growth strategy, Brent is on a mission to help others build freedom-driven businesses that thrive in any market.
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