When Do People Get Tired of Hating Each Other?

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Welcome to the thirty-fourth article in the series “Be the Leader You Aspire to Be” here on The Price of Business Show, where I will focus on the trends which lie ahead of us and how they will affect humans and businesses. The articles are based on my book Energetic Leadership, which talks about 9 trends leaders must navigate to cater for employees increasing demand for more spiritual leadership and sustainable business models aligned with their life purposes. These articles are about business leadership in the new era. I hope you will find inspiration for your own leadership and the leader you aspire to be.

In this article I look at hate over time and when we make a shift.

At times, it feels like we’re drowning in division. Social media threads turn toxic in minutes. News cycles highlight conflict more than cooperation. Conversations at work or at home can quickly spiral into “us versus them.” As a leader, it’s natural to wonder: Has hate ever been this bad? And when do people finally get tired of hating each other?

History offers us perspective. Humanity has walked through centuries marked by wars, civil unrest, systemic discrimination, and bitter ideological divides. And yet, when we step back and look at the larger picture, data shows that in many ways the world has become less violent over time.

For example, research from historians and data scientists points to steady declines in global violence. Rates of war-related deaths are lower now than in the 20th century, and homicide rates have fallen in many regions compared to the past. Civil rights advancements, the dismantling of oppressive systems, and international peace agreements remind us that while hate surfaces, it does not have the final word.

So, is hate worse now than before? Not necessarily. What has shifted is visibility. Technology amplifies everything. A single act of cruelty or a harsh comment can be broadcast to millions within seconds. We’re exposed to more voices, more often, and the loudest are often the most extreme. It can create the impression that hate is everywhere, all the time.

But here is the hopeful truth: people do grow weary of hate. Historically, societies have reached breaking points where division, violence, and resentment became unsustainable. And in those moments, movements for peace, justice, and reconciliation have emerged. The civil rights era, truth and reconciliation commissions, and global peace accords all remind us that when the weight of hate grows too heavy, humanity turns toward healing.

This turning point rarely happens overnight; it comes when enough people decide that hate costs too much. That’s where leadership comes in. (I recommend this TEDtalk: “I am the son of a terrorist. Here’s how I chose peace”)

Hate drains energy. Love sustains it. Resentment isolates. Connection unites. Leaders can accelerate the moment when people get tired of hating by modeling what it looks like to choose love instead.

Leading with love does not mean ignoring problems or lowering expectations. It means approaching challenges with respect, courage, and the belief that growth is possible. It means listening before reacting, seeking understanding before judgment, and building trust rather than fear. It is a conscious decision to bring constructive energy into every room you enter.

History tells us that people eventually tire of division. Leadership invites us not to wait for that exhaustion, but to guide others toward healthier, more uplifting ways of relating now. When leaders create cultures of safety and belonging, when they express gratitude and generosity, and when they fuel potential instead of focusing only on flaws, they accelerate the shift from hate to hope.

The ripple effects are powerful. Teams collaborate more openly. Innovation flows more freely. People bring their full energy to their work, not just the part that feels safe. And perhaps most importantly, they carry that experience home into families and communities, extending the impact far beyond the workplace.

So, when do people get tired of hating each other? History shows us that they always do. The more urgent question is: When will we, as leaders, decide to model something better?

The choice to lead with love, to guide with respect, and to nurture trust is available right now. Every leader has the power to tip the balance, to replace draining energy with sustaining energy, and to create spaces where hate cannot take root.

Hate may be loud, but it is not lasting. Leaders who choose love today help create the world that tomorrow’s history will celebrate.

Make the choice today.

Gitte Madelaire is an intuitive and visionary pioneer in leadership development. People, customers, business development, and futurism have always interested and motivated her. With a background in corporate business at companies such as Fona/HMW, Codan Insurance, Volvo Trucks and Ensure, she now inspires to new leadership through her book,” Energetic Leadership”, keynotes, facilitation and mentoring for leaders in her company Bronte ApS. Gitte holds a BSc in Business Administration from Copenhagen Business School and an MBA semester from the University of Victoria. She also has traditional leadership courses and certifications in intuitive and feminine future leadership, inner sustainability, and energy-based leadership. Gitte has lived in London, Sydney, and Kuala Lumpur and currently resides in Denmark.

Learn more at www.energeticleadership.eu.