COMPASSIONATE
WHY IT MATTERS
Work and life can be demanding and arduous. People will always go through periods of highs and lows, some of their own making, but most often not. At times, what people need most from their leader are understanding, patience, kindness, consideration, and sympathy. Leaders that are compassionate garner the absolute loyalty of their people because of the support they lend through difficult experiences. Compassionate leaders see their people as more than just employees, and in turn, their people seem them as more than just their boss. Their show of compassion leads to trust, and absolute loyalty. Leaders that are not compassionate will eventually find themselves alone; experiencing the absence of benevolence they first showed.
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE
Leaders that show compassion know that the workplace isn’t just about work. They know it is about people too. They are as invested in the well-being of those around them as they are in getting results. They break away from the daily grind of their personal work to learn about their people and who they really are. Without crossing boundaries of impropriety, they inquire into what is happening in people’s personal lives. When they say they care, their people know it and feel it.
Leaders that demonstrate compassion lead by example. They take time to serve people that need their assistance. No matter how busy or demanding their schedule becomes, they always have time for the people they lead, whatever the reason may be. They don’t intrude into people’s lives without an invitation, but they make it known they are always available to help or just listen. When they can’t be a direct part of a solution, they demonstrate their concern and care in other ways.
Leaders that show compassion balance the needs of people with the need for results. They place the required importance on the work itself without running over people or driving them too hard.
Leaders that show compassion create a culture of caring. They teach people that it is their responsibility to watch out for each other. When they see people that are struggling they rally other people around them to give support, encouragement, and help.
Leaders that show compassion differentiate between someone’s best efforts falling short and someone who fails by choice. They are quick to give a second chance to the former, while being appropriately punitive to the later. They know being compassionate does not mean being soft, but means being appropriately hard. They focus their energy on helping people right their wrongs, not burying them for their wrongs.
Leaders that show compassion discern when people are taking advantage of them. They show compassion, but don’t let people walk all over them inappropriately. They are quick to withdraw compassion from those that are manipulating their leadership and benevolence.
Leaders that show compassion have zero tolerance for unkind or unjust behavior towards others. They constantly ask themselves the question, “If it was me, what would I want to have happen?” They treat other people how they want to be treated, with dignity and respect.
BELIEFS
BEST PRACTICES
SELF-REFLECTION
WORDS OF CAUTION
Work and life can be demanding and arduous. People will always go through periods of highs and lows, some of their own making, but most often not. At times, what people need most from their leader are understanding, patience, kindness, consideration, and sympathy. Leaders that are compassionate garner the absolute loyalty of their people because of the support they lend through difficult experiences. Compassionate leaders see their people as more than just employees, and in turn, their people seem them as more than just their boss. Their show of compassion leads to trust, and absolute loyalty. Leaders that are not compassionate will eventually find themselves alone; experiencing the absence of benevolence they first showed.
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE
Leaders that show compassion know that the workplace isn’t just about work. They know it is about people too. They are as invested in the well-being of those around them as they are in getting results. They break away from the daily grind of their personal work to learn about their people and who they really are. Without crossing boundaries of impropriety, they inquire into what is happening in people’s personal lives. When they say they care, their people know it and feel it.
Leaders that demonstrate compassion lead by example. They take time to serve people that need their assistance. No matter how busy or demanding their schedule becomes, they always have time for the people they lead, whatever the reason may be. They don’t intrude into people’s lives without an invitation, but they make it known they are always available to help or just listen. When they can’t be a direct part of a solution, they demonstrate their concern and care in other ways.
Leaders that show compassion balance the needs of people with the need for results. They place the required importance on the work itself without running over people or driving them too hard.
Leaders that show compassion create a culture of caring. They teach people that it is their responsibility to watch out for each other. When they see people that are struggling they rally other people around them to give support, encouragement, and help.
Leaders that show compassion differentiate between someone’s best efforts falling short and someone who fails by choice. They are quick to give a second chance to the former, while being appropriately punitive to the later. They know being compassionate does not mean being soft, but means being appropriately hard. They focus their energy on helping people right their wrongs, not burying them for their wrongs.
Leaders that show compassion discern when people are taking advantage of them. They show compassion, but don’t let people walk all over them inappropriately. They are quick to withdraw compassion from those that are manipulating their leadership and benevolence.
Leaders that show compassion have zero tolerance for unkind or unjust behavior towards others. They constantly ask themselves the question, “If it was me, what would I want to have happen?” They treat other people how they want to be treated, with dignity and respect.
BELIEFS
- Above everything else that occurs at work the truth remains that people are still people, and they deserve to be treated as such.
- The problems and challenges that someone else has today could be your problems tomorrow.
- Compassion will naturally be felt by the leader who puts themselves in other people’s shoes before taking any action.
- People will always make mistakes. Compassion says you give people a second chance when their best efforts fall short.
- Contrary to what some people believe, compassion is the ultimate show of leadership strength, not leadership weakness.
- Being compassionate does not mean being a pushover. It is knowing when to hold a firm line, and when to let things go.
- People will respond with more loyalty and dedication to leaders who show mercy than to those who lead with fear.
- Compassion is not a roadblock to results. It is one of the most important ingredients in achieving results.
BEST PRACTICES
- Care about the welfare and well-being of others.
- Give people second chances.
- Show empathy to people in their hard times.
- Accept that mistakes will sometimes happen.
- Put other’s wellbeing above your own.
- Teach people to take care of each other.
- Don’t be afraid to be personal with people.
- Show zero tolerance for unkindness or injustice.
- Accept the inevitable imperfections in others.
- Serve people in their times of need.
- Spend time with your employees.
- Don’t cross boundaries of personal impropriety.
- Be patient with the problems people have.
- Empathize with the difficulties others face.
- Sense when people are taking advantage of you.
- Keep people’s problems private.
- Be continuously kind and considerate.
- Make yourself available even when you are busy.
- Balance compassion with high expectations.
- Know when to show mercy or hold the line.
- Treat others as you want to be treated.
- Ask your people how they are doing.
SELF-REFLECTION
- Do I care about other people and their problems, or do I only care about what they can do for me?
- Do I focus so much on getting the work done that I lose sight of the people doing it?
- Do I take time to reach out and help people in need, or do I only look out for my own well-being?
- Do I show empathy for people’s hardships, or do I fail to sympathize with their problems and worries?
- Do I support others who need my help, or do I expect people to take care of their own issues?
- Do I create a culture of caring for others, or do I create a culture that encourages self-centeredness?
- Do I know when people are taking advantage of my compassion, or do I let people take advantage of me?
- Do I tolerate indifference towards others, or do I take action to correct people’s hurtful words and actions?
WORDS OF CAUTION
- Don’t create the impression that your compassion means you are soft and can easily be taken advantage of.
- Don’t hesitate to abandon your compassionate approach when justice demands you take sharper action.
- Don’t give so much of yourself to other people’s problems and hardships that you wear yourself out emotionally.
- When I ask someone how he or she is doing, I’m genuinely interested in their response.
- People are always more important than the work being done.
- I’m nice, but I’m not a pushover.
- When someone is having a bad day, I try to cheer them up.
- I know personal details about my co-worker’s lives.
- Even when I don’t like someone, I still see the good in them.