Perceptions matter. Two-and-a-half years into Russia’s full-scale invasion of their country, Ukrainians are driven by a determination to ensure their own survival and enhance their nation’s position in the world order. For them, this war is existential, shaping their perceptions of leadership (anchored in dignity and service), and framing Ukraine as a frontline in the battle for humanistic values. To enhance European leadership by tapping into this narrative, we must first balance our perceptions of Ukraine.

From a subjective standpoint, no crisis is comparable to another. From an objective standpoint, drawing comparisons between crises while striving to ensure contextual relevance can help address the challenges that high-intensity situations pose to leadership, including seclusion (no one can understand), dissociation (forever adapting), power abuse (ends justify the means), or delusion (it’s not so bad). The pervasive pressure for results in policy, business, and social sectors makes it crucial to consider one’s relation to conflict, as this pressure shapes new benchmarks for leadership with long-term impacts on societies and organisations.

We surveyed over 50 participants in the network of the Professional Government Association of Ukraine (PGA). The majority were living in Ukraine, with less than a quarter living in the EU, UK, and Switzerland. Most were project, team, or organisational leaders, from various sectors, including non-profit, academia, business, and public sectors. The goal of the survey was to understand how people view leadership in times of crisis, particularly in the context of current challenges facing Ukraine. The survey was followed by a focus group that allowed us to dive further into the rationale behind the most salient answers. From this engagement, we identified four key leadership insights that shed light on effective strategies and behaviours during such critical periods.

The war in Ukraine has forever changed our world. Whether we are impressed by the resistance of Ukrainians or wish to understand how shifts in global power dynamics affect us, we all have something to learn from Ukraine. This effort requires (i) accepting that the greatest lessons often come from the most challenging situations, (ii) questioning the pre-packaged lessons offered to us, (iii) respecting differences in opinions while maintaining mutual respect, and (iv) promoting what we have learned with dedication, but without pride. Humility may not always be popular in the eyes of our teachers, but it is crucial, especially for those who have experienced the potential end of their reality as it is.