Why Great Leaders Don’t Try to Eliminate Tension

Dr. J.J. Peterson sits down with designer, strategist, and storyteller Justin Ahrens to explore a part of leadership most people try to avoid: tension.

There’s a natural pull to resolve things quickly—to choose a side, simplify the path, or chase clarity. But some of the most meaningful leadership doesn’t come from eliminating tension. It comes from learning how to stay present inside it.

This conversation moves through the reality of holding competing priorities at the same time—the weight of doing meaningful work while navigating everyday responsibilities, the balance between ambition and humanity, and the challenge of staying grounded in a world that keeps speeding up.

At the center of it all is a simple but difficult idea: the work itself isn’t what makes it meaningful. It’s how you show up while doing it.

What This Explores

• Why tension isn’t something to fix, but something to pay attention to
• The difference between “important work” and meaningful leadership
• How to stay human while still pursuing ambitious goals
• What it looks like to lead with curiosity instead of certainty
• The role tension plays in growth, awareness, and better decision-making

This conversation may resonate with you if you’ve ever questioned whether you’re doing the “right” kind of work, or felt the pull between who you want to be and what’s required of you.

If it does, consider sharing it with someone who’s navigating that same tension—quietly trying to lead well without losing themselves in the process.

Mentioned In This Episode Book: Be HumanKind: https://www.behumankind.today/ At The Table: https://www.atthetable.is/ Podcast: Running Aherns (Dr. J.J.’s episode): https://www.runningahrens.today/podcast/when-your-story-changes-how-jj-and-jamie-rebuilt-life-love-and-home Follow Badass Softie Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/badasssoftiepod/ Website: https://www.badasssoftie.com/