Consolation and Desolation: Lessons from St. Ignatius for Business Leaders

Life is full of highs and lows, peaks and valleys, victories and struggles. St. Ignatius of Loyola, a 16th-century saint and founder of the Jesuits, deeply understood this rhythm of life. His teachings on consolation and desolation—two spiritual states every person experiences—offer deep insights into personal faith journeys and, I contend, business and continuous improvement leadership.

In this article, I will explore what these states mean, how St. Ignatius advised navigating them, and how these lessons apply to the challenges and triumphs leaders face in the business world.

Consolation and Desolation: What Are They?

St. Ignatius described consolation as times of spiritual peace, clarity, and closeness to God. In these “feel good” moments, people feel inspired, energized, and full of purpose. Consolation aligns with a sense of connection and progress—it’s when everything seems to flow.

On the other hand, desolation refers to times of spiritual struggle, doubt, and distance from God. These are periods of discouragement and confusion when we might feel stuck, overwhelmed, or even abandoned. Desolation clouds our vision and tempts us to give up.

St. Ignatius taught that these states are normal and cyclical. Neither is permanent, and both can serve a purpose if we approach them with the right mindset.

What to Do During Times of Consolation and Desolation

When in consolation, St. Ignatius encouraged gratitude and humility. He taught that we should savor these moments as gifts, anchoring ourselves in gratitude while preparing for future challenges. Consolation is a time to reflect, set goals, and store up strength for the inevitable trials ahead.

In desolation, however, Ignatius advised against making major changes or decisions. He warned that desolation clouds our judgment and tempts us toward being overly reactive and emotional. Instead, Ignatius urged perseverance, prayer, and returning to the actions and disciplines that brought us peace during consolation. He reminded us to stay grounded in our principles and to trust the process—even when it feels like everything is falling apart.

The Business Leader’s Consolation and Desolation

Leadership in business and continuous improvement often mirrors this dynamic. There are times of consolation when sales are up, the team is thriving, and the vision is clear. These are the moments when it feels like everything is aligning. Leaders experiencing times of consolation should remain humble and grateful. It’s tempting to coast during good times, but these are the moments to build reserves—financial, emotional, and relational—that will sustain the business during inevitable downturns. I’d also contend that these are times to understand why things are going well.

Then there are, unfortunately, times of desolation. These might come in the form of market disruptions, internal conflicts, the loss of a major client, or that kaizen event that didn’t yield the results we hoped for. Leaders in these moments often feel isolated, uncertain, and overwhelmed. Like Ignatius’ advice for spiritual desolation, this is not normally the time to make drastic changes. Instead, it’s a time to return to the fundamentals: lean into the mission, rely on your team, and focus on incremental steps forward.

Faith, Leadership, and Resilience

Whether leading a company or navigating life, the lessons of consolation and desolation are universal. Leaders must recognize the cyclical nature of success and struggle, preparing in times of plenty and persisting in times of scarcity.

For me, as a man of faith and a continuous improvement leader, I see immense value in trusting the process during both states. Consolation reminds us why we do what we do, and desolation tests our commitment to keep going. By approaching both with wisdom, we can lead with resilience, faith, and a steady hand—even when the storms come.

So, the next time you find yourself riding the highs of consolation or enduring the lows of desolation, remember: both are temporary, and both have something to teach us. Trust the process, remain grounded, and experiment your way forward!

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