When people feel powerless, every strategy fails - with Father Anselm Grün

Hope is not a strategy—but without hope, all leadership fails.

In the final episode of "Hope is not a strategy," Christian Underwood and Prof. Dr. Jürgen Weigand talk to Father Anselm Grün, a monk at the Benedictine Abbey of Münsterschwarzach, bestselling author, and long-time manager of the monastery's financial affairs. The conversation goes far beyond classic management logic – and yet strikes at the heart of strategic leadership.

Hope is not wishful thinking

Hope, as Anselm Grün makes clear, is not a naive expectation that everything will turn out fine. Hope does not mean closing your eyes to reality. Rather, it means seeing reality clearly—and yet remaining capable of action. Especially in times when many people feel powerless, hope becomes an active force. It prevents resignation and aggression and opens up scope for creativity. This perspective is highly relevant for managers. Strategic action requires that people do not feel helpless, but rather experience that they can do something. Even if major crises cannot be resolved immediately, there is always room for responsibility, influence, and impact.

Leadership begins with people, not numbers

Drawing on decades of experience as the monastery's financial manager, Anselm Grün reports that good leadership does not begin with key figures, but with people. His central goal was never simply to optimize results, but to create conditions in which people enjoy working, can develop their skills, and can achieve something together. For him, money and economic success are means to an end—they should serve life. Strategies that rely solely on pressure, fear, or pure efficiency logic lack imagination. Only creativity, trust, and perseverance enable sustainable development.

Strategy requires spirituality—not as morality, but as meaning.

Another focus of the conversation is the connection between spirituality and strategy. Anselm Grün does not view spirituality as a pious accessory, but rather as a source of strength that helps people live well and lead well. For him, leadership means inspiring life—not forcing people into target systems. He is critical of mission statements and purpose formulas that come across as moralizing and generate guilt rather than energy. Instead of grand words, he advocates images that uplift people internally. Good leadership leaves people standing taller than before.

Humility, solidarity, and culture

Anselm Grün describes humility as the courage to look at one's own shadow and keep both feet on the ground. It does not place managers above others, but connects them with them. This connection gives rise to trust and creativity. What matters is not only what an organization says, but how it lives together. Corporate culture not only shapes economic success, but also has a social impact. Companies bear responsibility for whether they reinforce division or bring energy and hope to society.

Rituals as strategic self-management

In conclusion, Anselm Grün shares some very specific ideas for everyday life as a manager. Rituals—such as consciously reflecting on the day with gratitude in the evening or thinking a silent blessing before starting work—help you to gain perspective, avoid dwelling on things, and consciously begin or end the day. They create clarity and prevent work and life from constantly feeling like a whirlwind.

Who will find this episode particularly valuable

This episode is aimed at entrepreneurs, executives, and strategists who feel that pure rationality is no longer enough. It shows that hope is not the opposite of strategy, but rather its emotional and human foundation. Those who want to lead in the long term need not only plans, but also an attitude that empowers people and keeps them capable of action. An episode about hope, responsibility, and the quiet but effective power of leadership that awakens life.

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SHOWNOTES

Christian Underwood https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianunderwood/

StrategySummit 2026 https://www.strategyframe.ai/strategysummit2026

All links https://linktr.ee/strategyframe