We are all wired with the same desires – to feel safe, to be loved. These needs put us on paths to seek connection and offer opportunities for our purest expressions of our humanity. There are many things that impede our attempts at getting these needs met. When leaders strive to create cultures of safety, connection, and belonging, we are meeting those core human needs. This is no easy feat.
For those who only hold on to the softer side of compassion, nurturing compassion, it is hard to recognize the true power leading with compassion offers. Compassionate leaders can hold on to the paradoxical aspect of compassion, which is that it also requires great strength. While power alone or strength over systems may feel more efficient, we all know this approach isn’t effective long-term.
The world is hurting. Leaders are uniquely positioned to bring about the needed urgent change and healing. What does it mean to develop leaders based on principles of compassion? Working together, healthy motivation, and a community of belonging lie at the heart of understanding leadership through the lens of compassion.
People who are able to hold the tension between two conflicting demands, without feeling forced to choose between the two, can be said to have a paradox mindset. Those who utilize such a mindset have been shown to exhibit greater levels of creativity, adaptability, and productivity. But doing this is not easy. Here we examine three fundamental practices of compassionate leadership to help you target your development in ways that support your capacity to embrace paradox.
This year has truly been one to demonstrate the importance of compassionate leadership. As we look back, 2020 was a year that never stopped demanding that leaders respond with greater compassion. We’ve chosen the essential blog posts to help you gain a better understanding of compassionate leadership and how to operationalize it so that your organization embraces a compassionate culture.
