I’ve found that since the start of the year I’ve been watching the news a lot more than before. Events on the other side of the Atlantic have been so bizarre and unprecedented (not to mention grotesque and unbelievable) that at times I can’t look away.

I was watching something recently when I heard a representative of a certain newly formed administration talking about Ireland’s low level of defence spending. I’m certainly no expert in the area and it may well be the case that our spending needs to increase. That’s not what I found interesting. What I found interesting was why this person was critical of us: He said that Ireland needed to increase its military spending to counter the threats posed by ‘our mutual enemies’.

Now leaving aside that he assumed that their enemies should also be ours, which in itself is an issue I have serious problems with, I think that this word—”enemy”—is, itself, worth pausing over. It carries with it a weighty implication: that there exists a clear divide between “us” and “them,” that there are those who wish us well and those who seek our harm. It certainly seems that this is exactly how some people and some countries view the world – friends or enemies; on our side completely or plotting our downfall.

Since joining the ranks of independent nations of the World, I don’t think that we in Ireland have looked at the World in terms of having enemies and allies. Instead, we’ve approached diplomacy with the mindset that most everyone is a potential partner or friend—even if we fundamentally disagree on certain issues.

Is this approach naïve? I don’t believe so; it’s pragmatic. By refusing to label entire nations as adversaries, we open ourselves up to dialogue, collaboration, and mutual understanding. When you strip away the rhetoric of enmity, what remains are people—people with their own struggles, hopes, and fears. And isn’t that where real progress begins?

The problem with labelling others as enemies lies in its self-fulfilling nature. Once you define someone as your adversary, every action they take is interpreted through that lens. A neutral decision becomes hostile, a disagreement turns into conflict, and before long, both sides are entrenched in positions that leave little room for compromise. This kind of thinking has driven countless tensions throughout history, from local disputes to global wars.

Yet, despite the lessons of the past, some countries continue to operate like this, viewing the world as a zero-sum game where one side must be the winner and make the other become the loser. In reality, though, our challenges—climate change, economic inequality, pandemics, resource shortages—are not problems that can be solved by force or exclusion. They require unity, empathy, and shared responsibility.

At its core, this issue mirrors a challenge many of us encounter in our personal lives. How often do we fall into the trap of seeing others as competitors instead of collaborators? Whether it’s in the workplace, within families, or even among friends, seeing people as rivals can shut down meaningful communication and stifle growth. Just as nations risk alienating themselves through divisive language, individuals risk losing valuable connections when they adopt a defensive stance. Lasting success, whether personal or national, doesn’t come from asserting dominance but from recognising the inherent value of every person and perspective. No individual has a monopoly on wisdom, just as no country holds exclusive rights to prosperity or integrity.

So, how do we move forward? On a global scale, it starts with rejecting the notion that any nation—or group of nations—is inherently superior to others. We must embrace the idea that humanity is interconnected, sharing a single planet with finite resources and infinite possibilities. At the individual level, it means approaching disagreements with curiosity rather than judgment, seeking common ground instead of victory. Respect for differences doesn’t mean accepting everything uncritically; it means understanding that no country and no individual is all good or all bad. Only through this mindset can we hope to address the pressing issues of our time, creating a future where cooperation triumphs over conflict, and where respect replaces resentment.

In the end, the world isn’t divided into “us” and “them.” It’s simply “us”—a diverse, complex tapestry of cultures, ideas, and experiences. To thrive, we need to shed the outdated mentality of enemies and rivals, replacing it with a commitment to partnership and mutual respect. After all, no matter where we stand or which flag we fly, we share the same sky, breathe the same air, and dream of the same peace. Perhaps it’s time we started acting like it.

The best way to start a journey like this is to take one small action in that direction.  Small actions done consistently can lead to big changes! One such action might be to join a LIFT Roundtable.  You are very welcome to join us on one of our online roundtables.  You can book onto one here

If you’d like to know more about LIFT Ireland* please contact info@LIFTIreland.ie.  LIFT – Leading Ireland’s Future Together – is a platform and process to improve personal leadership across all sectors and demographics in Ireland through a focus on leadership attributes, character & values. LIFT is a process of viral, peer-to-peer learning and self-reflection, enabling behaviour change around personal leadership. LIFT uses facilitated small self-reflection groups to embed better leadership by developing greater self-awareness of character attributes and behaviour. Partner with us to bring LIFT to your organisation, community group or school.