Creating a Peaceful Life

Cathie Leimbach • December 5, 2023

“Peace is Power”


Jeremie Kubicek


In his book, The Peace Index, Jeremie Kubicek identifies 5 aspects of our lives that greatly impact our personal peace. He explains how we can assess our Peace Index and take steps to conquer chaos and increase satisfaction in our lives.



Let’s take a look at the 5 Ps in Kubicek’s Peace Index:

  1. Purpose – The reason you get out of bed. Do you know what excites you, what makes you get up in the morning anticipating a wonderful day? How often do have a chance to exercise your purpose? If you aren’t living your purpose, what can you do to have a job, a hobby, or other activities that make your life feel purposeful?
  2. People – Those who make or break us. How much time are you spending with people who lift you up, who make you smile, and who you look forward to seeing?  If you feel stressed by the people around you, how can you pursue relationships with others who could brighten your mood?
  3. Place – The spaces that supercharge us. Do you feel relaxed and recharged by laying on a beach by the ocean or by climbing in the Rockies? Are you happier living in a large city with lots of entertainment options or in a small town where you see familiar faces every day? Do you like to start your Saturdays with coffee in bed or at the local café? If your environment is not energizing you, what can you do to increase the time you spend in pleasant places?
  4. Personal Health – Choosing something better. How healthy is your diet? What exercise are you getting regularly? If you aren’t happy with your health, what is one personal health goal you would like to work towards in the next 6 months? What step can you take towards that goal this week?
  5. Provision – Nothing to Fear. Does your personal or household income enable you to have shelter, food, clothing, and funds for leisure activities? How stable is your income? If you are anxious about how you are going to pay your bills, what can you do to earn more money or reduce your expenses?


To determine your Peace Index, rate your current situation on each of the 5 Ps from 1 (very discouraged) to 5 (very satisfied). To increase your Peace Index, what is one step you can take this week to improve your P with the lowest rating? 


When we make decisions and take actions to move towards a more peaceful and fulfilling life we will be happier, healthier, and more resilient. We will be experiencing more peace which gives us the power to achieve our goals and support others in achieving theirs. When you take steps to being more at peace how will both you and others around you benefit? 


Take control of the chaos in your life. Do something that lights up your life so you can experience peace this holiday season.   

By Cathie Leimbach June 30, 2026
Most workplace tension doesn't come from major conflicts. It comes from too few conversations. A disappointment that was never discussed. A broken agreement that was never repaired. Appreciation that was never expressed. Over time, these "withholds" create friction that slows collaboration, weakens trust, and makes even simple conversations feel difficult. The strongest teams don't avoid tension—they address it early. Research highlighted in a recent McKinsey article found that unresolved tensions can significantly reduce team effectiveness, while high-trust teams consistently outperform their peers. The difference isn't the absence of problems. It's the willingness to talk about them. One of the most practical leadership habits is creating regular opportunities for transparent interaction. That includes appreciation. People should hear what they're doing well far more often than they hear about their shortfalls. Specific, genuine recognition builds trust over time. Those trust deposits matter because once positive relationships are built, difficult conversation are more likely to accept the message . When correction is needed, reinforce that you value the person, even though they aren’t perfect. The goal is growth, not judgment. But leaders should be careful not to make appreciation transactional. If positive feedback has been absent for months, suddenly offering praise immediately before a critique usually feels insincere. Trust is built through a steady pattern of recognition, encouragement, and honest conversation—not a last-minute compliment. Transparent leaders also address issues early. Small frustrations become large resentments when left unresolved. Teams that clear the air quickly spend less energy managing tension and more energy producing results. The result? Less friction. More trust. Stronger relationships. Better performance. Because healthy conversations don't just solve problems—they strengthen the team. Free Leader Guide: 5 Practices for Trust-Building Conversations The best leaders don't wait for tension to become conflict. They build trust before it's needed. Download our 5 Practices for Trust-Building Conversations guide to learn practical ways to strengthen relationships, reduce friction, and create a culture where honest conversations lead to better performance. Download the guide and start building trust one conversation at a time.
By Cathie Leimbach June 23, 2026
Most leaders say they want employees to speak up. They want people who spot risks, question assumptions, and help the organization make better decisions. Yet many employees hesitate to do exactly that. Why? Because leaders often respond to speaking up as if the speaker is complaining, criticizing or resisting. When people fear being viewed as difficult, they stop sharing what they see. The organization loses valuable information, ideas, and perspectives. A recent McKinsey article found that teams with high psychological safety are two to three times more likely to generate breakthrough ideas. When people feel safe speaking up, better thinking follows. The best leaders understand a simple truth: Speaking up is not defiance. It's duty. When employees question assumptions, raise concerns, or offer a different perspective, they are helping the team avoid blind spots and make stronger decisions. That's why effective leaders don't merely tolerate speaking up—they invite it. They ask: What are we not seeing? What assumptions are we making? Who might see this differently? What information are we missing? Just as importantly, they respond with curiosity instead of defensiveness. They thank people for expressing their perspective. They explain how input influenced decisions. They make speaking up safe. Because organizations don't improve when everyone agrees. They improve when people feel responsible for helping the team see what others may have missed. In healthy organizations, speaking up isn't rebellion. It's responsibility. It's duty. Leadership Reflection Think about your last leadership team meeting. Did people simply agree? Or did someone help the team see something it otherwise would have missed? Download 5 Questions That Surface Better Thinking and make speaking up a productive part of how your team thinks, decides, and performs.