The Power of Compassion
The Power of Compassion
Published: 3rd December 2024
The Power of Compassion in Leadership
“Self-compassion is simply giving the same kindness to ourselves that we would give to others.” [Christopher Germer]
In the last of our series of posts exploring the Escentia 6C framework, we discuss leadership compassion for others and Self. Click to catch up on the other posts on essential leadership qualities: Clarity,Courage, Congruence, Connection and Coherence.
Defining Leadership Compassion
Compassionate leadership involves leading with compassion for both ourselves and others. It’s a strategic approach that drives sustainable success and builds a work environment where people feel valued, empowered and thrive. Such practices create better team engagement, performance and resilience.
Practical Steps to Enhance Leadership Compassion
- Saying NO Without Guilt: Encourage team members to set boundaries and prioritise their wellbeing by feeling comfortable saying “no” when necessary.
- Looking Out for Each Team Member: Actively monitor and support the emotional and psychological wellbeing of every team member to create a trusting and caring environment.
- Enabling Emotional Clarity: Promote questions that clarify emotions in decision-making, ensuring a balanced approach that considers both logic and feelings.
- Appreciating the Person Before Critiquing the Idea: Value and respect the individual who presents an idea before providing constructive feedback. This cultivates a supportive environment for innovation and creativity.
- Fostering Team Understanding: Spend time helping the team understand how to collaborate effectively, leveraging each other’s strengths for better teamwork.
- Supportive Challenge: Encourage a culture where team members can challenge ideas constructively, promoting innovation while maintaining mutual respect.
- The Power of Pause and Reflection: Encourage regular pauses and reflection to gain perspective, recharge, and make more thoughtful decisions.
- Encouraging Giving Back: Compassionate leaders promote a culture of giving back, whether through time, expertise, or donations. This fosters a sense of purpose, strengthens community ties, and reinforces social responsibility within the team. Learn how Escentia seeks to make difference by giving back.
At Escentia, we understand the importance of leading with intention and have developed a 360 assessment tool to help you and your team measure leadership coherence and other essential leadership qualities. Learn more about the Escentia’s 6Cs Assessment.
Get in touch today to discuss how our programmes could help your team.