In a world where conflict often seems to reign supreme, and leaders seem to revel in their power and ability to inflict destruction, peaceful leadership may appear counterintuitive or naive.
As this blog is about leadership and personal development, I thought about how the business landscape is often portrayed as a battleground, where competition is fierce, and conflict is seen as a necessary evil for success. In hierarchical organisations, it is often seen as a dog-eat-dog world, and only those who step up and over their colleagues succeed.
Yet, I believe that amid the chaos and clamour for power, a quiet revolution exists—the rise of what I have come to see as “peaceful” leadership. So, I wanted to explore this topic and expand on the power of peaceful leadership and why it is critical in a world seemingly hungry for conflict.
Redefining leadership in turbulent times
I have seen many traditional notions of leadership that often equate strength with dominance, assertiveness with aggression, and success with victory at all costs. In this paradigm, conflict is viewed as a means to an end—a necessary by-product of competition and ambition. Yet, as the world grows increasingly interconnected and interdependent, the shortcomings of this adversarial approach become glaringly apparent. We see this at the world stage, national stage and local stage – and people either tune out, jump in or become cynical.
I think peaceful leadership offers an alternative vision rooted in compassion, collaboration, and connection. It is about leading with empathy rather than ego, fostering a culture of trust and respect, and prioritising the well-being of people and the planet. At its core, peaceful leadership embodies the principles of peace in action—both in the workplace and beyond. Here’s what I think it is about.
Leading by example
Peaceful leaders lead not with words but with deeds, modelling values such as integrity, authenticity, and ethical behaviour in their interactions. They focus more on their actions and follow-ups than marketing and hype. They walk the talk. They are clear on their values and how they live them daily, weekly, and monthly. Not when it suits them or can get them the outcome they want. They are consistently consistent.
Cultivating emotional intelligence
Peaceful leaders possess a high degree of emotional intelligence, allowing them to understand, empathise with, and respond effectively to the needs and concerns of others. They study emotional intelligence to understand it, practice it, and live it.
Sure, for some, it may not come naturally. But unless a leader is a narcist or a psychopath, there is always an element of emotions a leader can tap into. Asking simple questions can help leaders understand the emotional makeup of themselves and those they lead.
Building trust and collaboration
I find it baffling that many leaders still struggle with understanding the role trust plays and how important it is to collaborate. Peaceful leaders prioritise relationship-building, creating an environment of trust, openness, and psychological safety where people feel valued, heard, and empowered to contribute their best. This does not mean the leader must succumb to every request or alter their business strategy to accommodate every opinion or input. However, it does show that the leader is willing to hear people out, take their input and still make a decision. And to live with that decision.
Resolving conflict constructively
Rather than avoiding conflict or escalating tensions, peaceful leaders embrace conflict as an opportunity for growth and learning. It might sound contrary, but to have harmony, a leader must be willing to sweep the corners of conflict and air the issues out. Culture is harmed, and team dynamics are affected when issues fester and multiply like dust balls in dark corners. Leaders facilitate constructive dialogue, promote active listening, and seek win-win solutions that honour the needs and interests of all parties involved.
Encouraging diversity and inclusion
Peaceful leaders understand the power of diversity and work towards cultivating inclusive work environments where all voices are acknowledged and appreciated. They advocate for various perspectives, backgrounds, and thoughts, acknowledging that innovation flourishes when different viewpoints are embraced and respected. They do not “endorse” it because it is politically correct, but because they understand the power of diversity and the reach of inclusivity.
Ethical Integrity
Some wise one once told me that ethics are the foundational piece for all the values a leader might have – almost like a given value that humans must have. However, we also know that ethics and ethical integrity take a daily beating for many leaders. Peaceful leaders prioritise ethical integrity in all aspects of their leadership. They uphold honesty, fairness, and transparency in their dealings with others and work diligently to ensure their ethical integrity is not compromised or willfully neglected.
I have seen this play out many times. Many leaders lose their teams’ respect and trust because, at some level, the leader did something or was perceived to have done something that the team sees as morally or ethically bankrupt. Leaders must be intentional about ensuring their ethical integrity is protected.
The power of being a different kind of leader
In the real world, being a peaceful leader can pose unique challenges in a business world that often seems to thrive on conflict. It requires courage, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to one’s values, even in the face of adversity. In times of turmoil and uncertainty, the power of peaceful leadership shines brightest – for the simple reason of being something that many leaders around you are not!
As a peaceful leader, you may encounter resistance, scepticism, or hostility from those wedded to the status quo. Stay true to your principles, lead with integrity, and trust in the inherent strength of peace to overcome even the most entrenched barriers. Being different is the superpower of a peaceful leader.
Final thoughts on peaceful leadership
For me, peaceful leadership is not a sign of weakness but a mark of strength—a strength rooted in compassion, empathy, and a deep-seated belief in the power of human connection. By embracing the principles of peaceful leadership, you foster a culture of harmony and collaboration. And you never know who is watching and learning from your example.
The demand for peaceful leadership has never been greater in a world hungry for conflict in any form and at any price. The adage “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything” holds. Regardless of what I, you or others might call it, take a stand if you want to be a leader. Stand for something bigger than the latest quarterly earnings, latest sales, biggest client won or whatever short-term goals you and your organisation have. Err on the side of being a “peaceful” leader. It will pay off way more in the long term than being that “leader” everyone remembers – for all the wrong reasons.
We can chart a new course towards a more peaceful and prosperous future by defining leadership in terms of compassion, collaboration, and connection. Frankly, I would love nothing more than to see leaders work on shifting the paradigm that no longer serves us and start leading with our hearts.
Mark C. Crowley, his podcast and book, Lead from the Heart, inspired this blog post. Check out Mark’s work here.
And as always, if you invest in yourself, the rewards will be unfathomable.
Until next time.
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