The assassination of Charlie Kirk is a sobering moment for anyone who believes in the power of dialogue, public engagement, and leadership—regardless of political affiliation. As a leadership coach, I view this not through the lens of ideology, but through the lens of human dignity, civic responsibility, and the culture we shape through our words and actions.
I also look at this tragedy through the lens of a Christian Catholic. I was disturbed by the many people who mocked his death or even posted comments of delight over his death. Leaders cannot accept this or ignore such commentary.
The Role of Courageous Conversation
Charlie Kirk was a public figure who chose to engage directly with audiences, often in contentious environments. That takes courage. Whether one agreed with his views or not, his presence on college campuses and in public forums was part of a broader tradition of democratic discourse. Leadership demands that we not only speak but also listen, and that we create spaces where disagreement does not devolve into dehumanization.
The Cost of Dehumanization
When we reduce individuals to caricatures—when we label, mock, or vilify—we erode the very foundation of civil society. The tragedy of Kirk’s death is not just the loss of a life, but a stark reminder of what happens when disagreement turns into disdain. Leaders must model the ability to hold tension without hostility, to challenge ideas without attacking people.
What True Leaders Do Now
In moments like this, true leadership is not reactive—it is reflective. Here’s how we can respond:
• Pause and honor the human loss. Regardless of one’s stance on his politics, Charlie Kirk was a son, a husband, a colleague, and a leader to many. His death deserves solemnity, not spectacle.
• Reject violence as a form of expression. Leadership is about influence, not intimidation. We must reaffirm that ideas are to be debated, not destroyed.
• Model emotional maturity. Leaders must resist the urge to weaponize tragedy. Instead, we should use it to deepen our commitment to respectful engagement and psychological safety in our communities.
• Create space for healing. Whether you mourn Kirk’s death or wrestle with his legacy, there is room for both grief and growth. Leaders help others hold that complexity.
A Call to Culture Builders
This moment calls us to be culture builders—to elevate the tone, to protect the dignity of public discourse, and to lead with empathy. The measure of our leadership is not how we respond when we agree, but how we behave when we don’t.
Let Charlie Kirk’s death be a wake-up call—not to retreat into silence or rage, but to rise into a higher standard of leadership. One that honors life, even in disagreement.
Let’s lean on our Catholic faith by reflecting on the Evening Prayer in the Magnificat on the day Charlie Kirk was killed. My friend and colleague Teresa Tomeo, host of Catholic Connection on EWTN, brought this to my attention hours after he was killed.
Psalm 37: 5-11
5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.
10 A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.
11 But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy peace and prosperity.
The Gospel reading the next morning on 9-11 from Luke 6:27 38 “Do unto others, forgive, pray for those who persecute you.”Vanessa Denha Garmo is a Leadership Development and Life Coach with Epiphany Communications: Coaching & Consulting. She is the host of Epiphany on EWTN Affiliate Ave Maria Radio in Ann Arbor, Michigan. You can follow her on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Faceboo
