[September 7, 2025] Yesterday, I was listening to the news on the radio while driving. I don’t remember the specific channel or who was talking, but I do remember the news reporter replaying comments from a local U.S. Representative. Our local political representative was, sadly and not surprisingly, being divisive.
Senior leaders have an obligation to unite people for a common goal. Our politicians in DC are senior leaders. What they do may involve debate and work to find possible solutions or to reach a compromise on disagreements, but that is their job and should be their calling.
Our political leaders should help to unite people, not divide them. This is what professional leadership is about.
What are a few examples of divisiveness?
- Extreme rhetoric – name-calling, association with radicals
- Insulting behavior
- Poor attitude
- Mocking of others
- Chip on the shoulder
- Refusing to communicate
What would be the purpose? I believe the answer is somewhat simple: to achieve “power” over others. This is true whether it is divisiveness in the family, church, company, social club, political capital, etc. Someone, or a group of people, wants to gain power and control over someone else.
Divisiveness in our political and social world is experiencing a comeback. It is doubly unfortunate that some of our political leaders are divisive in their actions today. If we know it is for power, we understand. It doesn’t make it easier to tolerate, but once an understanding is reached, we can begin to work toward solutions.
Divisiveness also means no progress.
“The loudest voices we hear are those who advocate conflict, divisiveness.” – John C. Danforth
This is an important lesson for good leaders. Divisiveness does not help accomplish anything of value in the workplace. Divisive employees must be stopped or removed.
It is incumbent on all of us to identify divisiveness and call it out for what it is—a grab for power. Moral courage is needed to do this.
————
Please read my books:
This is EXACTLY what the Democrats are doing today. See the reaction to Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
Well said, Gen. Satterfield.
Well said, Gen. Satterfield.
Thank you, Gen. Satterfield for sharing your thoughts here. Well done. I’m still fairly new to the comments section. I appreciate feedback on my ideas, too.
Welcome back, Under the Bridge, I thought you posted before but maybe I’m wrong. Great passion we have in learning how to improve ourselves personally or as a leader. This leadership forum helps. For example, Gen. Satterfield wrote a series on the “good habits” of a leader. https://www.theleadermaker.com/?s=good+habits That’s a great place to start reading. I also think he has it in a PDF format for free download. Regardless, just start reading any where. Oh, and get a copy of his books too and learn how to think, not what to think.
Welcome. Start any where at any time on any subject. That’s the place to start. Any journey begins with one step.
Gen. Satterfield is presenting us with a Globalist view on why humans conduct themselves the way they do. I do like his style but this article doesn’t fit well with his recent posts on our humanness. Power is not the central issue for those who are divisive, IMHO, it’s something else and our personality is certainly a major factor. That is why men are more aggressive, likely to wind up in prison, are killed and assaulted at a greater rate, and are more like to die in a car crash, etc. Let’s keep that in mind. This article does, however, have value in that it shows us what the key ingredients to the behavior of divisiveness.
Good quote…. “The loudest voices we hear are those who advocate conflict, divisiveness.” – John C. Danforth
Political parties are now using this strategy and sadly that is now the norm.
TRUE 👏
This article shows us what most of us already know but does so very well by outlining those specific behaviors, most common and why. I’m sure that interpersonal power plays a huge part but is not the only one.
Yep. And that is why I also read the comments section. But let’s not forget that Gen. Satterfield has devoted an entire book to a related topic of learning how to be a better person. Get his book – my turn to hype his book – “55 Rules for a Good Life” and read it twice, minimum. You will get a list of behaviors and guidelines that will make you life more meaningful. What else is there?
https://www.amazon.com/55-Rules-Good-Life-Responsibility/dp/1737915529/