Love-led leaders know that disagreement isn’t the problem; the problem stems from the need to turn disagreement into division.”  N. Anderson

Conversations Have Changed

I was having a conversation with a client and asking her how things were going at work. She said, “Ugh, everything has become so political. I can’t even have a conversation without someone assuming what my politics are.”

I hear her. I get it.

Politics has permeated every area of our lives. It’s affected our friendships, conversations around the kitchen table, and the workplace. According to HR Daily Advisor, 64% of U.S. employees say that discussions surrounding politics in the workplace have gotten more heated than 5 or 10 years ago. Personally, I’ve come to the point where I rethink wearing a red or blue shirt because someone may assume where I sit politically. Not good.

How Division Impacts Everyone

As division continues to impact our workplace relationships and conversations, I think it’s worth addressing.

Here are some thoughts:

• When we start turning differences into division, it is dangerous. It creates an environment where disagreement is seen as a threat rather than an opportunity for growth.
• When we divide based on differences, we no longer seek to understand or collaborate; we view others as adversaries rather than partners in problem-solving.
• When division increases, it fosters a hostile environment and stifles innovation and progress.

Turning Differences into Bridges

Love-led leaders recognize that diverse perspectives enrich our understanding and lead to better decision-making, more significant innovation, and a more collaborative environment.  Instead of turning differences into walls, they use them as bridges for deeper connection and learning.

When love-led leaders encourage respect for differing opinions, they create cultures of inclusion and unity where growth thrives over fear and division.

Instead of allowing division to alienate us from one another, love-led leadership seeks to unify us in our shared humanity. When we stop seeing disagreement as a threat, we start seeing humanity in one another.

What do you think? Has disagreement caused division in your life?

Here’s to leading with love!

Love,

Nicki