United We Stand

United We Stand: How Leaders Build Unity in a Divided World

One of the oldest leadership sayings is “United we stand, divided we fall.” The truth of that phrase is timeless, but I worry that our young people are getting a very different message today—that leadership is about division, about conquering others rather than inspiring them. This may win short-term battles, but it never builds anything good or sustainable.

The work of leadership is to unite people around a cause or vision—to recognize and mobilize the talent, energy, and creativity needed to achieve it. Division drains energy. Unity multiplies it. Unity is created by how people are led and managed.

Gallup’s research makes this clear: when managers and leaders create unity—through clarity, purpose, and support—employees are three times more likely to stay and significantly more productive. But when people feel their leaders divide them or block growth, they disengage and leave. The data is sobering, but also encouraging: unity is measurable, and it makes a measurable difference.

Simon Sinek, in Leaders Eat Last, describes why this matters so much. Leaders who foster trust and a sense of shared vision create a “circle of safety” where people thrive. That safety doesn’t come from slogans or titles. It comes from leaders who show up with empathy, who communicate purpose, and who bring people together to achieve more than any one of us could alone.

After reading these articles, you might be asking yourself, well how do I improve my managers’ skills and make sure I am hiring or promoting the right talent? How do I go about knowing if I am creating a circle of safety as Simon Sinek describes and know how well am I meeting employee needs?

There are 3 tools Riker Opportunity Institute has been using with clients for nearly 3 decades that are the answers to these questions.

Everything DiSC® on Catalyst™ is not just a personality assessment—it’s a living platform that equips leaders and their teams with the language, tools, and insights to build trust, bridge differences, and unite around a common vision. The new Worksmart™ on Catalyst™ gives managers/leaders practical ways to:
- Understand and adapt to diverse work styles
- Communicate with clarity and empathy
- Resolve conflict in productive, trust-building ways
- Motivate and empower people according to what matters most to them
PXT Select™ Talent Management Tool measures how people, think, feel, behave in a management role as well as what is their motivating factor. It lets you know what how strong of a fit an individual is to the role they are being hired for or promoted into and also will let you know where they might need some professional development to be successful in that position and within your organization.
Employee Passion™ Survey measures how well your organization and managers are meeting the researched-based 5 most important needs of employees as well as the level of trust that exists to create that "circle of safety.”

So, I leave you with this reflection: In your sphere of influence—whether at work, in your family, or in your community—are you working to unite or divide? Because unity isn’t about sameness. It’s about building a shared commitment to something greater than ourselves and doing it in a way that makes people feel valued and empowered.

At ROI, we believe leadership that unites is the only way to lead for a better world, country, and company.