Last week, less than an hour from my home, political activist and popular author and podcaster Charlie Kirk was assassinated while speaking at Utah Valley University.
Within minutes, headlines and social feeds erupted with commentary. Some anointed him a martyr. Others seemed to celebrate his murder. Both reactions—and the causes they served—made my heart sick.
That same day, there was a shooting at a high school in Colorado. Earlier this summer, Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were assassinated in their home. None of these is counted among the more than 300 mass shootings the U.S. has recorded so far this year, because a “mass shooting” is defined as one where four or more people are injured or killed—not including the shooter.
I can’t believe I know that. But I do, because this is the world we live in now.
Like you, I watch the news. I grieve for the victims and their families. I rail against the pundits who exploit tragedy for attention. I grow weary of those in positions of power who stoke division instead of healing it.
So much violence. So much frustration and futility.
And here is the danger for us as leaders:
Complacency.
Overwhelm.
Exhaustion.
The quiet whisper that says: Nothing I do will make a difference.
But here is the antidote:
Empathy.
Compassion.
Curiosity.
These aren’t random; they sit at the heart of the Creative half of the Universal Model of Leadership. They are qualities that our research shows drive the most authentic, effective, and enduring forms of leadership.
But they’re not just traits of great leaders. They are qualities of great people.
Our humanity must not become the casualty of violence.
As leaders—in our families, our communities, our organizations—we must guard our humanity. We must be vigilant against the pull of despair and detachment. The world is crying out for our humanity.
So, lean in.
Lean in to empathy. Listen to understand, not to respond.
Lean in to compassion. Be kind, even when it feels impossible.
Lean in to curiosity. Entertain the possibility that you have something to learn.
This is what the moment demands of us: that we put into practice every tool at our disposal to lead with grace, humility, and courage. That we reach for and hold tightly the humanity in others—especially in those in whom we fear there may be none.
At Leadership Circle, our mission is to evolve the conscious practice of leadership, to steward the planet, and to awaken us all to our inherent unity.
This moment calls us to that unity.
After all, what touches one of us touches us all. We are not separate from one another or from this planet; we are part of a single, interconnected whole.
So, it is not enough now to be “effective” leaders. It is not enough to build efficient systems or even to speak truth to power. We must remember why we lead. We must deploy ourselves with care and with relentless commitment to the humanity that binds us together.
Our work together has never been more important—or more necessary.
We are grateful to have you with us.
Bill Adams, Co-Founder and CEO
Bill Adams loves people and is passionate about relationships, leadership, and business. He is a serial entrepreneur who has started, owned, and sold multiple businesses. As a founder and the current CEO of Leadership Circle, Bill brings 30 years of experience to his clients—the CEOs of major Fortune 500 corporations, nonprofits, and private equity startups. In addition, Bill co-authored Mastering Leadership and Scaling Leadership. As a trusted advisor, teacher, consultant, and coach, he works with CEOs and top teams in fulfilling the promise of leadership.
