It’s easy to say the words “compassionate leadership,” but Technalink understands just as much as you do how hard this can be to put into practice. And yet, at the same time, we’re seeing resurgence in compassionate leadership in America, and it is coming from the most unexpected—and at the same time—least surprising corners of our society; our youth.
There’s a feeling in America of imminent change. The political dialogue of the country has changed radically in the last few years, and it has energized the youth of America. The so called apathetic “millennial” that older Americans once disregarded as entitled children who only cared about engaging in social media on their phones, is taking to the streets. We’re seeing something different, and even if these adolescents are not yet old enough to vote, or start families, or even take political office, they are teaching the older generation a lesson that we have perhaps forgotten. Change is possible.
Remembering Passion
Compassionate leadership is not just an attitude, it is an action, and sometimes, it is a fight. When people are not treated fairly, compassionate leadership is about fighting to restore fair treatment. When people are in danger, compassionate leadership is about stepping in, understanding this suffering, and being willing to take a stand and do something about it.
Compassionate leadership takes passion, and that is something that we, as working, professional adults, can sometimes forget we have in ourselves. As the daily worries of meeting quotas, sticking to deadlines, and just trying to maintain profitability for another year take sway, these responsibilities can reduce us to creatures of habit, and mechanical, clockwork activity. We forget why we started this business, we forget about the excitement of achievement, and we forget that we are working with people who deserve our respect and compassion.
But when we see the youth of America standing up for their beliefs, fighting for it, marching for it, engaging in social media, engaging each other, and even the politicians of our country—and winning—we must remember that that was us once. We came from that same space and place. We had that passion, and we still have it somewhere inside ourselves, even if we haven’t lately had the chance to express it.
Take The Lesson To Heart
If you have a teenager in your life, or you’re even taking interns under wing in your business, make this relationship a two-way street. Take the time to learn from youth, not just expect that youth to sit back and absorb your wisdom like a sponge.
Remember that just because compassionate leadership is about acts of kindness, that doesn’t mean that compassion itself is a soft, gentle attitude with no force, or strength behind it. Compassion is about putting kindness and understanding into action, whether it means fighting for what is right for others treated unfairly, or taking a stand in your own company to ensure that people are respected and treated the way they deserve, while those who behave inappropriately are held accountable for what they’ve done.
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