Leading with Purpose in an Era of Collapse

Embracing Human-Centered Change in Challenging Times

Welcome to the Reimagine Work newsletter. Here Dr. Robyn Short, CEO of Workplace Peace Institute, shares insights on the shifts that are necessary to meet the needs of a rapidly changing workplace.

We are living in an era of systemic collapse. This collapse is not the result of any singular event but rather the cumulative impact of interconnected crises that have become increasingly impossible to ignore. To clarify: a collapse occurs when something falls apart or gives way, and a catalyst is a force that accelerates change without itself undergoing permanent transformation.

What’s collapsing? Core societal structures: the environment, economies, democracies, social trust, and community cohesion. What’s the catalyst? Unchecked human greed, combined with apathy, exploitation, and the prioritization of short-term gain over long-term survival.?

At its core, our collective collapse stems from a breakdown in our capacity for collaboration. True collaboration requires participation, connection, and shared purpose. Evolutionary theory supports this — when Darwin referred to “fitness,” he was not describing dominance but adaptability, cooperation, and the ability to work collectively to thrive. Yet, as a society, we are struggling to maintain this capacity.

Volumes have been written about the ways human greed has eroded our systems and our ability to work together. This article won’t rehash those broader discussions. Instead, it focuses on how we can prioritize collaboration in the spaces we can influence: our neighborhoods, schools, communities, workplaces, and relationships. In an era where widescale systemic change seems increasingly out of reach, our best hope lies in transforming the small, tangible spaces where we hold power.

To do this, we must accept reality. If we remain fixated on “fixing the system” at large — whether it’s political, economic, or environmental — we risk overlooking the microcosms where we can create meaningful and lasting change. Real transformation is rooted in values like human security, dignity, and love, and it starts within our immediate spheres of influence. I talk about this in more detail in a recent conversation with my friend and colleague Rayner Jae Jae Liu. You can listen to that conversation here.

This article outlines five ways to become agents of change within those spheres. While this is not an exhaustive list, it is a starting point. My passion lies in supporting leaders to create cultures where all people can thrive. Though I speak specifically to for-profit and nonprofit business leaders, these insights are relevant to anyone who wants to foster positive change in their community, workplace, or social circles. Don’t underestimate your capacity to make a difference — you are powerful beyond measure.

Leading Through Right Relationship

What’s most needed now is leadership grounded in integrity and purpose, fostering what Zuisei Goddard describes as “right relationship.” Practicing right relationship means aligning ourselves with others and the world in ways that create and reflect harmony, kindness, and care. It’s about living according to our true nature and capacity instead of perpetuating the confusion and greed that drive harm. As Goddard reminds us, “Every single one of us has the capacity to see clearly, act lovingly, and care deeply. All we have to do is decide that this is what we want. The rest is just a matter of practice.”?

In this era of collapse, leadership that prioritizes right relationship is not optional—it is essential.?

Adopt a Human-Centered Approach to Leadership

Systemic collapse manifests in human suffering. Those entering our workplaces, schools, and communities carry the weight of this suffering, often without the tools or support to cope. Sometimes, this suffering is rooted in being out of alignment with themselves, their environment, or the people around them.?

Violence is rising in many forms: gun violence, violence against women, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and people of color, as well as systemic violence against historically marginalized communities. At the same time, commitments to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are waning. Political systems worldwide are enacting policies that exacerbate these harms while reducing resources for those most in need.?

Economic pressures — income inequality, stagnating wages, skyrocketing living costs, and crushing student debt—are further compounding this suffering. The belief that each generation will have a better life than the one before is fading.?

As a leader, you may not have the power to address all these crises directly. However, you do have the power — and the moral responsibility — to adopt a human-centered approach to leadership within your sphere of influence. This approach acknowledges the humanity of every person in your community or workplace and prioritizes dignity, care, and equity over efficiency or profit.?

Leadership grounded in humanity is not just about responding to crises; it is about actively creating spaces where people can thrive. This requires empathy, courage, and a commitment to values that promote collaboration and well-being.?

The Path Forward

Systemic collapse does not mean the end of hope. Instead, it is a call to reimagine what is possible — to rebuild from the ground up, focusing on what we can change and who we can influence. Effective leadership in this era will embrace collaboration, prioritize right relationship, and center humanity in every decision. The change we create in our small spheres of influence may seem modest, but it has the power to ripple outward in profound ways.?

Now is the time to decide: Will we contribute to the chaos of collapse, or will we choose to lead with integrity, care, and purpose? The future depends on our answer. Below are some ways you can be a couragous leader.

1. Become proficient in the dynamics of human behavior. Humans are complex and in various stages of development, emotions, thoughts, skills, resilience, and capacities for navigating adversity. Effective leadership in an era of collapse requires that we deepen our understanding of the human condition. Leaders need to understand what is necessary for humans to thrive and the leadership behaviors that create capacity for thriving in the workplace. The Dynamics of Human Behavior webinar is a great place to begin your journey toward proficiency in human behavior.
2. Become trauma informed. Trauma is expected in an era of collapse. When the institutions that hold the structure of democracy falter (or fall), when violence is normalized, when people cannot consistently experience basic human needs, trauma should be expected. Trauma is when we experience very stressful, frightening or distressing events that are difficult to cope with or are out of our control. This could be one incident (example: employees who have experienced a mass shooting or an extreme weather event) or an ongoing event that happens over a long period of time (example: authoritarian leaders who strip human rights and perpetuate widescale violence). For the last decade, many people have been under conditions that have led to chronic trauma. Considering the recent presidential election and the deeply unqualified and dangerous people identified to lead governmental institutions, leaders should expect to see an increase in traumatized people in their workplaces. The Trauma-Informed Leader webinar is a good place to begin your journey toward becoming trauma-informed. You may also need trauma healing for yourself. Take a deeper dive with the Trauma-Informed Leadership course. ??
3. Become conflict competent. Chaos is the energy of collapse. If you have been leading people for a decade or more, you may be confused by a new reality — the leadership skills that got you to where you are today just don’t seem to work anymore. People are disoriented. Nothing seems to make sense anymore. The world feels topsy-turvy. Disorientation and confusion lead to fear. Fear breeds conflict. You cannot be an effective leader in an era of collapse without high competency in conflict. The Brain in Conflict & Connection webinar is a good place to begin your journey toward becoming conflict competent. Leaders should also normalize working with professional conflict engagers to support them in creating a conflict competent workplace. Conflict competence is required for compassionate leadership.
4. Become trustworthy. In an era of collapse, one of the first pillars of society to fall is trust. There are a lot if definitions of trust, and they are all worth exploring and reflecting on. The definition that guides my work is that trust is the belief the words and actions of one’s leadership and coworkers will reliably align and that workplace processes will produce results that are in the best interest of the organization’s members, mission, and purpose. To be trustworthy amid chaos and human suffering is to lead with courage — to be willing to go first, do hard things, speak truth, advocate for justice, and embrace the unknown. Trust requires that leaders are in integrity with the privilege that comes with the role of leadership. If a leader doesn’t have the courage to advocate for justice, trust will not be possible. Read that again. Your capacity for trustworthiness is directly connected to your relationship with oppression. If you don’t have the courage to advocate for justice, you can’t lead effectively in an era of colipase. If you see yourself in that statement, have the courage to step out of leadership so space is available for a courageous leader to come forward. The Leading with Trust and Integrity and The Neuroscience of Trust webinars can support you in exploring your own capacity for building leadership trust.
5. Ground your diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging practices in dignity. Notice the assumption that you have not abandoned DEIB as leader? You cannot effectively lead in an era of collapse without a commitment to DEIB. And your DEIB practices won’t be impactful if they are not grounded in in the inherent worth and value of every single person in your organization. The Paradigm Shift in DEI course is a great place to deepen your knowledge and understanding of DEIB in the workplace.

In an era of collapse, leadership is no longer about driving profits or maintaining the status quo — it is about fostering resilience, connection, and dignity within the spaces we influence. The challenges before us demand leaders who are willing to embrace the complexity of the human condition, prioritize healing and collaboration, and build workplaces where all people can thrive despite the chaos all around us. This is not just a professional calling; it is a moral one. The choices we make as leaders today — how we show up, how we treat others, and how we create micro systems rooted in humanity — will ripple far beyond our immediate spheres of influence. As we navigate this collapse together, let us commit to practicing right relationship, grounding our actions in care, and stepping fully into our capacity to lead with integrity and purpose. In doing so, we can plant seeds of possibility, even in the most uncertain of times.

The New Paradigm Leadership Certificate Program is designed to equip current and emerging leaders with the tools and insights needed to thrive in today’s workplace. In a time of complex global challenges, economic shifts, and societal transformation, new paradigm leaders are needed — leaders who are adaptable, empathetic, and capable of leading with a deep sense of responsibility and understanding of the human experience.