If you ask any leader, they’ll tell you their day is busy leading their team members, resolving external issues (client dissatisfaction), and growing themselves. The last part of the equation, growing in their roles, is challenging. Leaders have a multitude of areas to focus on and grow. One element of leadership that is increasingly important is compassion. Leaders and managers often get a bad reputation for not being compassionate. There’s a stigma around them that they’re always focused on the business and not the well-being of others. Recently, compassionate leadership is setting the building blocks for leaders in the future. It also is fundamental during these uncertain times. Below are the foundations of compassionate leadership.
Kindness goes a long way. Being kind and polite to others spreads joy and happiness. Being civil in leadership adds a new dimension to your skills. Instead of approaching a situation with sternness and an unfavorable attitude, be considerate of that person’s feelings. We all are fighting battles others don’t know about. Showing kindness while mentoring and motivating others will have others feel comfortable around you.
Confident:
There’s a stark difference between confidence and arrogance. Unfortunately, there is a stigma surrounding managers and leaders alike. Some people would believe that managers and leaders are arrogant. They can’t admit when they’ve made mistakes and push the blame on others. Arrogance gets you nowhere in a leadership role. However, a lack of confidence doesn’t either. People look up to you for answers to their problems. You are the force driving your team members and the company forward. Confident leaders understand when they’re wrong and don’t linger in the past. They use it to remember the events leading up to the mistake to avoid it from happening again. Don’t be afraid when you’re wrong. Your team members will be there to lift you up. You will all learn together. Being vulnerable is a trait everyone values.