Injustice is one of the deepest human experiences. It affects us more strongly than we think – not because we are “too sensitive,” but because our nervous system is designed to react when our safety or sense of belonging is disrupted. And few things activate it faster than the inner feeling: “This isn’t fair.”
Injustice isn’t caused only by “bad” leaders. It often arises among good people who simply don’t see the whole picture. It happens:
- when someone is judged as “not ready” without a prior conversation or verification
- when the focus is placed only on the result, and less on the process and the effort invested
- when more trust is given to the louder person on the team, while the quieter voices are harder to notice
These are micro-moments of injustice- unintentional, quiet, but deeply impactful.
What happens in the body when we feel injustice?
As a somatic coach, I always return to the body, because the body reacts before the mind. Injustice activates the threat system:
- breathing becomes shallower
- the shoulders rise
- a pressure appears in the chest
- questions arise in the mind: “Why me? What did I do wrong? Does this make sense?”
If this repeats, people withdraw. Not because they are weak, but because their body no longer trusts that the environment is safe.
How can leaders somatically and consciously reduce injustice?
Here are a few practices I often use when working with leaders:
- Take a breath before making a decision.
- Ask instead of assuming.
- Notice who is silent and create space for their contribution.
- Check how your action impacts others, not just the outcome.
Why am I writing this?
Because I believe leadership begins in the body, in presence – not in position. And because fairness isn’t created through policies, but through everyday gestures that send others the signal: “You are seen here. You belong here.”
Injustice can never disappear. But it can become much rarer if we develop more self-awareness, awareness of our impact, and awareness of those small moments that shape someone else’s experience.
