The Art of Grit

In today’s complex and often troubling geopolitical landscape, it feels like the world has become obsessed with solutions—fixing problems, resolving conflicts, and outmaneuvering adversaries. But somewhere along the way, we seem to have lost sight of what truly matters: the people at the heart of these issues. We’ve become so focused on solving that we’ve forgotten to care. Two quotes comes to mind when I think about today’s world.

Barbara Johnson’s words, “Never let a problem to be solved become more important than a person to be loved,” speak to this deep imbalance in our priorities. In the rush to address global challenges, we’ve turned people into pawns, obstacles, or casualties of problems that seem too large to fix. But at what cost? When did the problems become bigger than the very lives they affect?

Secondly, Margaret J. Wheatley’s insight, “Too many problem-solving sessions become battlegrounds where decisions are made based on power rather than intelligence,” deepens this reflection. When we look at global conflicts, diplomacy often turns into a contest of dominance rather than a space for thoughtful, humane resolution. It seems like our leaders are more concerned with asserting power than with nurturing understanding. And in doing so, the solutions become detached from the people whose lives hang in the balance.

Isn’t this true for us as individuals, too? How often do we get so caught up in solving the problems in our own lives—whether at work, in relationships, or even within ourselves—that we lose sight of the people involved? Have you ever been so determined to fix a situation that you forgot to truly listen, to empathize, to care for the person standing right in front of you? I know I have. And if we do this on a personal level, is it any wonder that it happens on a global scale?

Imagine what could change if we approached both personal and global issues with a different mindset. What if, instead of charging into every problem-solving session as though it were a battleground, we entered with the intention to understand, to connect, to value the people affected more than the outcome itself? Would our solutions be more thoughtful, more compassionate? Could they even be more effective?

Take a moment to consider: How often do we confuse solving with loving? In our personal relationships, when a problem arises, do we rush to fix it without taking the time to truly connect with the other person’s feelings, their fears, or their hopes? Do we listen to understand, or just to respond? If we approached problems with love—real, genuine love—wouldn’t the solutions reveal themselves in a way that serves everyone, rather than just the loudest or most powerful voice in the room?

It’s easy to feel powerless in the face of global conflicts, but change begins in small, everyday moments. If we can begin to prioritize people over problems in our own lives—by listening more, loving more, and caring more—then maybe, just maybe, that shift will ripple outward. Maybe our leaders will see that real intelligence lies not in overpowering others but in lifting them up. Maybe we’ll start to heal not by conquering, but by caring.

The problems of the world are immense, yes. But the people who live in this world are more important than any one problem. Let’s remember that. Let’s remember that our capacity to love, to connect, and to care for one another is what truly defines us. What would our lives, our communities, even our world, look like if we all lived by the principle that no problem is greater than a person to be loved? Can we start today, together, in our own small way?

I invite you to reflect on this in your own life. How might your approach to problems shift if love came first? I’d love to hear your thoughts. Maybe the path to a better world starts with that simple choice—to love before we solve.