Why it’s Important to Become a Compassionate Leader and Where Companies Can Help
There is a misconception that to be a great leader, a person has to be firm, unyielding, and ruthless. But rarely do companies see a lot of success with this style of leadership.. Compassionate leaders are far better at providing value to businesses than those that run a tight ship. That’s why it is more important than ever before to invest the time and energy to become one.
Why compassion matters in a workplace
Uncaring and uninspiring leadership, as reported by McKinsey, is one of the top three reasons employees leave the workplace. Bad leaders have been defined as lacking accountability for their actions, lacking effective communication with employees, lacking integrity, and generally just having a complete disregard for the well-being of their teams and employees.
But when leaders show kindness and caring, they foster a culture of compassion and support within the organization, building stronger, more resilient teams that are better equipped to face challenges and achieve their goals.
When leaders show understanding of what the team is feeling and experiencing, the members of that team grow to trust their managers. Through compassion, when times get hard or stressful, passionate leaders find ways to motivate teams instead of adding to their stress.
When trust is developed through a compassionate leader, team collaboration also improves substantially. Compassionate leaders inspire diversity and psychological safety in the workplace. They encourage the sharing of ideas even if they may be unpopular or novel, which develops loyalty with employees. They become more engaged with their work and strive to help the company reach its goals. Plus, knowing their leader is there to support and uplift them, they are excited about their job and tend to stay with the company longer,, keeping turnover rate low.
Key qualities and behaviors that make a leader truly compassionate
Compassion and empathy are both important qualities for individuals and organizations to have because they are based on the desire to relate and understand what others are experiencing. Yet there is a defining difference between the two when it comes to a person’s approach. Where an empathetic leader focuses on understanding what others are experiencing, a compassionate leader takes the next step by acting on the understanding to help alleviate the suffering. Effective and supportive leaders show their compassion in several ways.
In the moment
When leaders are in the moment, they are present during their interactions with employees. Compassionate leaders are actively listening to what employees have to say. They are asking the hard questions such as “what can I do to improve the situation?” and showing real understanding. They prepare prior to the interaction and bring their whole self.
Courageous in difficult times
Compassionate leaders address problems right away, understanding that the longer a situation goes without being dealt with, the bigger it can become. Compassionate leaders roll up their sleeves and offer to help. They approach the challenge with integrity and do the best they can to assist with the issue.
Directness in communication
At times leaders must give feedback or bad news. Compassionate leaders tend to communicate directly and in a positive way. Poor leaders that give orders and feedback in a callous way or are not fully transparent about the reasons why the change is happening can instill resentment and spite in employees. But when communication around disappointing news like company reorganizations or cutbacks is not sugar-coated, employees tend to appreciate the honesty. It allows for them to make plans abd prepare for their change of circumstances.
5 practical strategies for building and developing compassion
Compassion is not always a quality people are born with. Many have to build on it to master it. But having the desire to be more effective as a leader and bring real support to a team is already a great start.
1. Self-awareness
Without first knowing where you stand in your leadership skills, it is difficult to make changes. It is important to be honest with yourself and evaluate your leadership style. Ask the hard questions about whether you are showing compassion to your teams and if not, ask yourself why that might be the case.
2. Do your research
There is a lot of material out there to learn about compassion and how to be a supportive and caring leader. Since one size does not fit all, look into what programs would best fit into your schedule and learning style. Once you find them, do not hesitate to begin.
3. Find mentors
Mentors and coaches are a great way to learn compassionate skills. Many women understand the value of mentorship with up to 67% rating mentorship as highly important in helping to advance their careers. Partnering with mentors can provide guidance in handling situations with more compassion. A mentor can give tips on how and when to show compassion and give examples of times they gave the news in a compassionate way. They can also offer a safe place to bounce ideas off of and suggest alternatives or advice.
4. Join communities
Communities can bring comfort to women, with 64% reporting that their professional support networks are critical to their wellness and growth. This is because many women begin to feel isolated as they rise through the ranks and they see less and less of their peers. Through connections with other professionals, there is access to support. Community programs allow professionals to share experiences, cheer each other on to reach goals, and mutually learn the qualities of compassion. When women are in supportive groups, they can build on their confidence and feel more ready for the job.
5. Practice in real time
It is easy to take all the training and talk to everyone about leading with compassion, but until you put action behind the learning, it is just material in your head. Again, one of the greatest qualities of compassionate leaders is taking action, getting in, and helping teams now. Because the more you practice compassion, the more naturally it will come in everyday interaction with employees.
How companies can help grow compassionate leaders
Anyone can become a more compassionate leader that supports and motivates their teams. With assistance from their organization, their potential increases. By aiding with as many of the practical steps as possible, companies can create a culture of compassion through caring leaders that takes the organization to a higher level. To learn more, contact us today to see how Aurora provides programs that train and support women into becoming more compassionate and effective leaders.