New ways of working are leading to disconnection and disengagement, leaving people wondering, “What is my role here and can I even make the impact I want to make?” And yet, we often forget, we have the power to design the environments we want to thrive within. While the challenges are all around us, we believe there is a way to course correct.
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.
As the world gets more complex, we grapple with ways to make sense of our place in its complexity. The temptation to think of situations as black/white or either/or is strong. Humans are programmed to seek clear answers – when we turn towards nuance and invite “yes, and…” into our responses as leaders, there are more opportunities for compassion in choices that better serve our organizations.
Compassionate leadership has the power to create thriving workplaces with employees who flourish. So, what is it? At the Center for Compassionate Leadership, we define it as treating those you lead with compassion in all situations and creating a culture of compassion that supports the flourishing of everyone connected with that culture. Let’s explore further...
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.
As individuals seek to grow their capacity to lead, what role can compassion play? Through its ability to strengthen leaders, enhance team results, build cultures of safety, connection, and belonging, and ultimately create a world of flourishing for everyone, compassion is central to leadership development.
Research shows in recent years that 60% of Americans are deemed to be lonely. We all feel it to some degree, and our mental and emotional health is compromised as a result. In fact, lacking social connection, both at work and in our personal lives, can have as negative an impact on a person’s mortality as smoking, hypertension, or physical inactivity.
We choose our work based on its alignment with our own values and needs. We naturally identify with work in valuable and healthy ways. If we take this identification too far, it can become harmful. Overidentification can have harmful impacts on both our personal and our professional lives. Foundational practices of inner compassion can support compassionate leaders in avoiding the pitfalls of overidentifying with work.
Quiet quitting is the practice of meeting the requirements of the job and doing no more. Whatever the cause or interpretation of quiet quitting, it doesn’t address the root cause for all involved. Compassionate leaders are particularly well equipped to prevent quiet quitting or heal the troubles behind it.
