Leading with Compassion
There’s a saying that good leaders are empathetic, great leaders are compassionate.
Today’s fast-changing world generates a lot of material in the form of articles, books, applications, talks, and other resources about the future of work, digital transformation, and automation. But how do these changes impact the nature of leadership?
While a lot of jobs and functions get automated leadership is here to stay at least for a couple of more decades. On the other hand, there are some things that machines cannot replace: empathy, humanity, compassion are truly human-only qualities. The conclusion comes out by itself — the future of leadership is compassionate leadership.
What compassionate leadership is all about?
Recently I came across Susan David’s formula which attracted my attention with its simplicity.
Sympathy: I am sorry you are in pain. (Distant)
Empathy: I can imagine what this pain feels like. (Shared)
Compassion: You are suffering and I will do what I can to help. (Connected and Action-oriented)
The word compassion comes from Latin “compati” which literally translates into suffer together. For some of us, compassion may seem a stagnant state, a passive acceptance of the reality. However, it is beyond passive sympathy and empathy. It’s clearly action-oriented. It’s all about the hard work of building an environment of psychological safety where people can speak their mind, share aspirations and ideas, where they have the right to fail without building “systems of defense” on the backstage. It’s built by the building blocks of transparency, trust, care, and understanding. It’s the honest and authentic concern for others, and considering direct reports’ well-being as the first priority.
But sometimes it can seem to be scary. A piece of anxiety can secretly wait for a special occasion to come out and give birth to doubt. As it’s all about giving, hesitation can be triggered. A voice inside your head starts to panic… What if this approach does not work? What if we fail the project? What if someone takes my place? If I give all the care, who will care about myself….
I come to think that compassionate leadership is all about overcoming fears. It takes courage, and the serving mindset comes with maturity.
Interestingly, enhancing the serving mindset uplifts you in your direct reports’ eyes, creating a special energy and connection. As a result, humility leads to respect.
For those who are still struggling to overcome fears I have some reminders:
- People spend most of their time in the space called Work. Even if it’s virtual, that space should be psychologically safe and should change lives. So, be kind and truly caring about others’ lives. Know about your people’s goals and find ways to help them achieve.
- Help them find the meaning. Be the medium to align people’s potential and passions with the company values and goals and they will pay back with loyalty, dedication, and a lot more excitement. They will connect with you for a lifetime and will be there for you in times of need.
- Build an environment where people save their energy to create rather than defend. Encourage them to open up, uplift, let that wild creative energy flow, to have the courage to take the first steps of a project that seems unrealistic at first glance. They will do the impossible.
- They will be led by deeper inner motivators bringing their full selves, talents, and unlimited energy to create. As a result, they will become more connected, engaged, present, motivated, and loyal. In the end, it’s all about belonging and becoming.
- Everyone wants to be a hero even if it’s in some other person’s life. And that maybe is the most rewarding feeling one can experience in a lifetime. Be a hero that changes lives and ensures everyone reaches their full potential, works happy, and finds their best self.
As a leader, you may ask, what I’ll get instead? Well, they will share your story and will lift you up. Eventually, their gratitude will build your authority, their loyalty will build your success and their respect will build your life-long connection.
