Political Leadership Is Practiced Through Words, Not Weapons
Political leadership in a democracy relies not only on power and policy, but on the ability to lead through dialogue, cooperation, and shared understanding — as highlighted by Emil Husted in the CBS Leadership Centre November column in Børsen.
What makes political leadership effective in a democratic society? At a time when new leaders are stepping into office across Denmark’s municipalities—and national elections loom ahead—the question carries renewed urgency. Much attention is given to votes, coalitions, and policy. Yet leadership in a democracy also depends on something less tangible but no less critical: the capacity to lead through dialogue.
Dialogue as a democratic leadership practice
An argument for this perspective is made by Emil Husted, Associate Professor at Copenhagen Business School, in an op-ed published in collaboration with the CBS Leadership Centre and Børsen. Drawing on research into the inner workings of political institutions, Husted highlights how democratic leadership is shaped by the tone, tempo, and quality of conversation. As he notes, “democracy is not just about votes and power struggles, but about dialogue, cooperation, and mutual respect.” In contrast to leadership styles focused on domination or control, democratic leadership must be grounded in persuasion, listening, and shared meaning-making.
Pressures shaping leadership in national politics
Research from Husted points to an evolving climate within the Danish Parliament. The pace has quickened, the pressure has intensified, and many politicians report growing strain on their well-being. In this environment, the space for genuine deliberation has diminished. Fast-moving debates and intense media scrutiny leave little room for the slow work of building understanding across ideological lines. As Husted writes, “it is a working climate in which dialogue and shared understanding struggle to survive.”
Collaboration as a resource in local government
Local political leadership presents a different picture. Municipal and regional councils, while not immune to disagreement, often operate with a clearer sense of collective responsibility. Elected officials must work together to find practical solutions that serve entire communities. This dynamic makes local politics a vital site for renewing democratic leadership. According to Husted, newly elected officials entering local government today have a unique opportunity to model leadership not only as competition, but as collaboration in pursuit of the common good.
Supporting democratic leadership at CBS
The mission of the CBS Leadership Centre aligns closely with this insight. The centre seeks to strengthen leadership in complex, collaborative, and uncertain contexts. In democratic systems, where legitimacy depends not on authority but on consent and trust, the leader’s task is to foster dialogue even when disagreements run deep. Political leadership becomes not a contest of power but a shared search for what is right. As theologian Hal Koch wrote, “By the sword one decides who is the strongest. By the word one finds out what is right.”
Read Emil Husted’s full op-ed (in Danish): “Politisk lederskab bedrives med ordet og ikke med sværdet”.