when values are tested: facing fear, holding humanity, and navigating moral injury

This week, public servants, humanitarian workers, and mission-driven professionals are witnessing their life’s work unravel—agencies shut down, mass firings executed, and long-standing commitments to human rights and public service erased with the stroke of a pen. The emotional toll of this moment is profound, as both leaders and staff grapple with the weight of moral injury—the deep wound that occurs when witnessing or being complicit in actions that violate core values. For leaders, the challenge is twofold: supporting teams through grief and uncertainty while navigating their own fears of speaking out in an increasingly precarious environment. In times like these, moral courage isn’t just about bold actions; it’s found in the quiet, steady choices that affirm humanity, foster connection, and create spaces of dignity and resilience—even when the systems around us fail to do so.

what we’re exploring

This week, many public servants, humanitarian workers, and mission-driven professionals are grappling with a deep and unsettling reality: the work they have dedicated their lives to is being unraveled before their eyes. Agencies are being dismantled. Mass firings are underway. Longstanding commitments to human rights, aid, and public service are being erased with the stroke of a pen.

The emotional toll of witnessing these changes—especially when you feel powerless to stop them—can manifest as moral injury. Moral injury occurs when people experience or witness actions that deeply violate their personal or professional values. It is often accompanied by guilt, shame, anger, or a profound sense of betrayal.

This isn’t just affecting leaders. Staff at all levels are struggling with the pain of seeing their work erased, their colleagues dismissed, and their ability to serve those in need stripped away. Leaders, in turn, face their own moral dilemmas: How do you support your team when speaking out could put your own job at risk? How do you lead with integrity when the values that guide your organization are being undermined at the highest levels?

Moral injury thrives in silence, isolation, and uncertainty. But even in this moment of instability, small acts of moral courage, compassion, and solidarity can make a difference—both for the people around you and for your own well-being.

why it matters

For many mission-driven professionals, work isn’t just a paycheck—it’s a calling, a purpose, and a reflection of deeply held values. When that work is forcibly taken away, dismantled, or manipulated to serve an agenda that contradicts those values, it doesn’t just cause stress—it creates an existential crisis that can fracture identity, trust, and mental well-being.

Both leaders and staff are facing impossible choices right now. Some employees may feel paralyzed by fear—unsure whether speaking out will cost them their jobs or their ability to support their families. Others are experiencing survivor’s guilt—why did they get to stay when their colleagues were fired? And some may be wondering if they can continue in this work at all, questioning whether their efforts ever truly mattered.

For leaders, the pressure is immense. Many are afraid themselves—worried about their own job security, their families, and the risks of saying the wrong thing. And yet, those same leaders are also expected to hold space for others, offer reassurance, and keep their teams intact as best they can.

This is the weight of moral injury in leadership—feeling caught between duty and constraint, wanting to do what’s right but fearing the consequences. And this weight, if unaddressed, can lead to:

• Burnout and emotional exhaustion.
• Disengagement and cynicism about the mission.
• Loss of trust—both in leadership and in oneself.

In times like these, practicing moral courage doesn’t mean fixing everything—it means refusing to look away. It means acknowledging pain and injustice, standing in solidarity, and making small but meaningful choices that affirm humanity in the midst of dehumanization.

how to take action

1. Acknowledge moral injury with empathy.

• People are angry, scared, and grieving. Don’t dismiss these emotions—create space for them.
• Even if you can’t change the circumstances, validating someone’s experience is a powerful act of care.
• You don’t need to have all the answers. Simply saying, “I see how hard this is for you, and I’m here to listen,” can go a long way.

1. Find small ways to uphold values, even when larger actions aren’t possible.

• If speaking out isn’t safe, advocate in quieter ways—offer support behind the scenes, document institutional knowledge, help colleagues find new opportunities.
• Keep conversations about values alive. Remind people why their work mattered, even if it’s being undone.
• Protect what you can, even if it’s just the dignity and well-being of the people in front of you.

1. Model vulnerability and self-compassion.

• Even the most seasoned leaders are struggling right now. You don’t have to have it all together.
• Acknowledge when you don’t have answers, and be honest about your own fears. Vulnerability builds trust.
• Be kind to yourself. This moment is extraordinary. Extend the same grace to yourself that you offer to others.

1. Lean into community and connection.

• Moral injury thrives in isolation. Find trusted colleagues to process what’s happening.
• If your team is struggling, bring people together to hold space—not to “fix,” but to support one another.
• You are not alone. Connecting with others who share your values can help sustain you.

a few things to consider

• Fear is Real—And It’s Okay to Be Afraid Many people are afraid to speak up right now, and that fear is not irrational. The risks—whether professional, personal, or legal—are real, and navigating them is complex. Leadership in this moment does not mean recklessly charging forward; it means making intentional choices that align with your values while considering the realities of your circumstances. There is no single “right” way to respond to what is happening—only the best choices you can make within your sphere of influence. Whether your leadership takes the form of quiet support, behind-the-scenes advocacy, or more visible action, it all matters.
• Courage Isn’t Always Loud We often think of courage as bold declarations and public stands, but some of the most powerful acts of leadership happen in quiet, unseen ways. Courage can look like making space for an employee to process their emotions without fear of repercussions. It can be holding the line on fairness and inclusion in hiring and promotions. It can be maintaining a workplace culture of respect, even as external pressures push against it. Not every act of moral courage will be visible, but that doesn’t make it any less impactful.
• Moral Injury Doesn’t Heal Overnight Moral injury isn’t just a moment of discomfort—it’s a deep, internal wound that comes from being forced to act against your values or from witnessing injustice you feel powerless to stop. It takes time to process, make sense of, and recover from. The effects can linger, manifesting as anger, numbness, exhaustion, or even questioning your sense of purpose. Leaders must acknowledge this for themselves and their teams. Give yourself and those around you permission to grieve, to sit with discomfort, and to process what is happening in ways that feel right for them. Healing requires space, time, and compassion.
• Leading with Humanity is Never a Mistake Even in the hardest moments, treating people with dignity and compassion will always matter. When systems are failing, policies are dehumanizing, and fear is pervasive, the way we show up for one another is what remains. No matter what constraints you are operating under, leading with humanity—validating people’s experiences, showing care, and fostering connection—creates ripples that extend beyond the workplace. In times of uncertainty and distress, people will remember who made them feel seen, heard, and valued. That is leadership. That is impact.

reflection prompts:

• What small but meaningful actions can you take to align your leadership with your values, even in the face of the current challenges and fear?
• What fears come up for you as you think about practicing empathy and moral courage at work or in your community?
• What emotions, thoughts, or physical sensations arise when you reflect on the tension between ypur values and our current reality? What would help to shift any emotions or senseations that feel heavy?
• What kind of presence, actions, and values do you want to embody, knowing that people will carry the memory of how they were treated long after this moment has passed?

additional sources of inspiration

• Book: A Conflicted Oath (Chapter 11), Tell Me My Story—Challenging the Narrative of Service Before Self by Dimple Dhabalia
• Book: Defy: The Power of No in a World that Demands Yes by Sunita Sah
• Podcast: Embodying Change—Moral Injury with Dimple Dhabalia Exploring the complexity of moral injury in service-oriented professions.

Dimple Dhabalia is a writer, podcaster, multidisciplinary storyteller, and humanitarian with over twenty years of front-line and management experience in the US government. In 2021 Dimple founded Roots in the Clouds, a boutique consulting firm specializing in using trauma-informed leadership to create systemic change for sustainable service. Dimple is the best-selling author of Tell Me My Story—Challenging the Narrative of Service Before Self, named a 2024 NYC Big Book Award Distinguished Favorite and excerpted by the Stanford Social Innovation Review. Her work has been featured in Fast Company, CEO World Magazine, and the Federal News Network. To learn more about Dimple and her work, visit www.rootsintheclouds.com or connect with her @dimpstory on all social media platforms and Substack. To explore these topics through a spiritual lens, check out /rōot/ by dimple dhabalia.