724: How to Bring Out the Best in People, with Donna Hicks

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Mar 10, 2025

Donna Hicks, an Associate at Harvard's Weatherhead Center and former Deputy Director at PICAR, dives deep into the concept of dignity and its power in relationships and leadership. She discusses how dignity differs from respect, emphasizing that everyone has dignity, regardless of status. Vulnerability and empathy are highlighted as key tools for leaders to foster trust and connection. Hicks shares insights on how recognizing dignity can transform conflicts into meaningful dialogues, ultimately bringing out the best in people and humanity.

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ANECDOTE

Dignity in Conflict Resolution

Donna Hicks' work with conflicting parties worldwide revealed a recurring theme of dignity violations.
A breakthrough came when she explicitly addressed dignity, leading to acknowledgment and progress.

INSIGHT

Inherent Dignity

Desmond Tutu emphasized that dignity is inherent and cannot be taken away, only injured.
He highlighted the importance of this belief during apartheid in South Africa.

INSIGHT

Acknowledgement and Healing

Desmond Tutu stressed the importance of acknowledging suffering to foster reconciliation.
Acknowledging dignity violations is essential for healing and moving forward.

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Donna Hicks: Leading with Dignity

Donna Hicks is an Associate at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs at Harvard University and the former Deputy Director of the Program on International Conflict Analysis and Resolution (PICAR). She has facilitated dialogues in numerous unofficial diplomatic efforts and was a consultant to the BBC in Northern Ireland, where she co-facilitated a television series, Facing the Truth, with Archbishop Desmond Tutu. She is the author of Dignity: Its Essential Role in Resolving Conflict and Leading with Dignity: How to Create a Culture That Brings Out the Best in People*.

Everyone wants to be treated in a way that shows they matter. We may differ in status, but we are all equal in dignity. In this episode, Donna and I explore how appreciating dignity can help us bring out the best in people.

Key Points

Everyone wants to be treated in a way that shows they matter.
Dignity is different from respect. Everyone has dignity, but not everyone deserves respect.
A major misconception of dignity is that we receive our worth from external sources.
We’re at our best when connected to our own dignity, connected to the dignity of others, and connected to the dignity of something bigger.
Start with vulnerability and empathy. These open the doors to connecting with your own dignity and the dignity of others.
We may differ in status, but we are all equal in dignity.

Resources Mentioned

Dignity: It’s Essential Role in Resolving Conflict* by Donna Hicks
Leading with Dignity: How to Create a Culture That Brings Out the Best in People* by Donna Hicks

Interview Notes

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