Leading with Dignity
Leading with Dignity: Lessons from Dr. Donna Hicks
When dignity is violated, the same area of the brain activates as when you break an arm. That’s how deeply dignity matters.
Leading with Dignity: Lessons from Dr. Donna Hicks
At the recent PSPS Leadership Forum, we had the privilege of hearing from Dr. Donna Hicks, author of Leading with Dignity. Her insights were both profound and practical, rooted in decades of work alongside global leaders like Desmond Tutu to resolve international conflicts. What drives her research is a simple yet powerful question: Why do people explode during conflict?
Her answer: dignity. Most conflicts escalate because individuals feel they’ve lost—or fear losing—their dignity. When dignity is violated, the same area of the brain activates as when you break an arm. That’s how deeply dignity matters. Conversely, when we treat people with dignity, they flourish.
What Is Dignity?
Dr. Hicks defines dignity as our inherent human value—something we are born with and never lose. It differs from respect, which is tied to behavior and must be earned. No matter how someone behaves, their dignity remains intact.
She identified 10 essential elements of dignity:
Acceptance of identity
Recognition
Acknowledgement
Inclusion
Safety
Fairness
Independence
Understanding
Benefit of the doubt
Accountability
Among these, safety emerged as the top concern—80% of people in her research said lack of safety was the greatest dignity violator. When people don’t feel safe, they don’t speak up, eroding trust and connection.
A Question That Changes Everything
In moments of conflict, Hicks suggests asking:
“That was such a powerful reaction—tell me what is behind that?”
This simple question opens the door to understanding the deeper issues, often rooted in repeated mistreatment and trauma.
My Personal Reflection
Her message resonated deeply with me. After the Columbine tragedy in the late 1990s, I prayed for guidance and felt called to a mission:
“To restore the importance of humanity, dignity, and respect among our leaders, our communities, and our young people.”
Hearing Dr. Hicks affirmed that this mission is more relevant than ever.
Why It Matters
We all face the temptation to violate dignity—often out of self-preservation. Hicks calls these behaviors “dignity busters”: saving face, resisting feedback, gossiping, blaming others. But biology is not destiny. We can choose love and human connection over self-preservation.
When dignity becomes a cultural value—a constant rule of engagement—we create unity, trust, and psychological safety. It starts with embracing our own dignity so we can elevate others.
Take the Dignity Pledge
Will you become a dignity agent? Commit to seeing the inherent value in every person. Celebrate differences. Choose connection over self-preservation. Because dignity isn’t just a concept—it’s the foundation for thriving communities and organizations
