Compassion begins with awareness. In the first blog of this series, Focus, Focus, Focus, we explored the importance of noticing the suffering or challenges others experience. Yet, awareness alone is not enough. To truly embody compassion, we must take the next step – connection, which is the bridge that transforms our awareness into meaningful action. It requires us to believe that the person in front of us – whether a colleague, friend, or stranger – is worthy of our attention and care. This belief is what Monica Worline and Jane Dutton, in Awakening Compassion at Work, refer to as “interpreting generously.”
The Challenge of Connection
As humans, we instinctively find it easier to connect with those who are most like us – people who share our experiences, values, or backgrounds. However, compassionate leadership calls us to a higher standard. It invites us to connect even with those who seem different from us, those with whom we may struggle to relate, or those we find challenging.
Interpreting generously means looking beyond our initial judgments and assumptions. It is the conscious choice to see others not as adversaries, obstacles, or “other,” but as fellow humans doing their best within their own circumstances. Assuming the best in others creates space for trust, understanding, and growth.
Moving Beyond Our Own Perspective
One of the biggest barriers to connection is our tendency to interpret others’ actions through the lens of our own experiences and emotions. We assume that if we were in their situation, we would act a certain way – and when they act differently, it is easy to judge or dismiss them. But true connection requires us to step outside of our own perspective and into theirs. Instead of reacting based on how we would feel, we seek to understand how they might be feeling.
A simple yet powerful practice to develop this skill is to pause and be curious: What’s really going on here? What pressures or struggles might this person be facing that I am not aware of? This shift in mindset prepares us to engage with empathy and openness rather than defensiveness or frustration.
From Connection to Empathy
When we practice interpreting generously, we lay the foundation for empathy, the third element of compassion. By seeking to understand rather than to judge, we create deeper, more meaningful relationships. Compassionate leaders recognize that connection is not about agreement – it is about acknowledgment. We don’t have to share someone’s perspective to honor their humanity.
In our workplaces, our families, and our communities, we have daily opportunities to extend generous interpretation. The colleague who misses a deadline may be struggling with personal challenges. The friend who seems distant may be carrying burdens we cannot see. The stranger who responds curtly may be navigating an invisible hardship. In each moment, we have a choice: to assume the worst or to assume the best. Compassionate leaders choose the latter.
A Practice for Connection: Interpreting Generously
Try this simple, in-the-moment practice, to help you avoid jumping to conclusions or reacting harshly in a challenging encounter.
Notice your first reaction. When someone acts in a way that frustrates or confuses you, pause and observe your instinctive response.
Reframe the story. Instead of assuming negative intent, consider alternative explanations. Could this person be having a difficult day? Might they be dealing with stress or uncertainty?
Engage with curiosity. If appropriate, ask a gentle question: Is everything okay? How can I support you? Offering kindness can open the door to deeper understanding.
Extend grace. Remind yourself that just as you have moments of struggle, so do others. Choose to respond with patience and care.
Moving Toward Compassionate Action
With awareness as our foundation and connection as our bridge, we are now ready to explore the next element of compassion: empathy. In our next post, we will dive into the role of empathy in compassionate leadership. Until then, consider where you can bring more generous interpretation into your daily interactions. How might your relationships shift if you assumed the best in others? The choice is yours – and in that choice lies the power to create a more compassionate world.
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