We are facing an unprecedented event in our history. The multiple crises in our country have created some of the greatest challenges we will face in our lifetimes. There is only one way to get through these challenges, and that is by working through it together with patience and compassion.
Compassion is more important now than ever before in the workplace. We have to extend our empathy and give our teams the support and care they need to continue to press forward. Here are some actionable steps to take in practicing compassionate leadership to support your employees and help them stay on course as these simultaneous crises impact their lives.
Start With Yourself
You cannot be truly compassionate if you exclude people, and that includes you. Fight the negative self-talk about how you are not productive enough or how weak you are for having vulnerable moments of fear, sorrow, or doubt. Extend your compassion to yourself and fully embrace the truth of the crisis. Things are challenging, and your not being a perfect machine of emotional strength, hard work, and focus is not a failure. It is a response to the circumstances.
What matters is not that you experienced those unpleasant moments or you are feeling defeated but that you work through those moments with intention. When you give yourself that amount of compassion, you also learn how to extend it to others.
Add Compassion To Your Schedule
If you know that your team needs support but you are not really sure where to start, come up with a schedule. Set up routine check-ins with your team as a group and as individuals. Foster a safe and supportive space to talk about their struggles. Often what is causing your team members the most stress at work is something you can help change.
For example, a parent on your team is struggling to manage both their job and their child’s distance learning. It is making them feel like a failure as a parent and an employee. Understanding this issue will help you know how to utilize your compassion and find a solution.
Leverage Your Power As A Leader
Take the same parent and imagine allowing them more flexibility in their work schedule. Instead of trying to work and manage school during the day, they can prioritize their child’s education and make up their work when it is less distracting for them, such as after hours and on weekends.
Shifting their schedule can immediately reduce their stress and empower them to take on challenges with fresh energy. When they experience less stress and are more empowered, they will deliver high-quality results. As a leader, you can help come up with a mutually beneficial solution that keeps them productive and engaged in work during times of crisis.
Compassion is not simply a personality trait—it is an active practice. By committing yourself to compassionate leadership, you can help reduce the negative impact of a crisis on your staff and come up with out-of-the-book strategies to make things easier.
I recently released The OM Factor on audiobook. I realized that not everyone has the ability to sit and read a book. Coming up with an alternative way of exploring the tools of spiritual leadership presented in the book was a way to meet a challenge with a simple solution. When you open yourself to expressing compassion, you will see that there are solutions and opportunities for improvements everywhere no matter how big the crisis you are facing. Practice your compassion and empower not only your team but also yourself to clear the barriers on the road in front of you.
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