Today’s world is full of uncertainty. Amidst the chaos and confusion, it’s easy to feel scared, angry, sad, and more. But how can we address these complicated feelings? How can we support ourselves—as well as the people around us—through times of change?

If you’re looking to inspire and uplift others, it’s important to lead with compassion. Not only does this practice help us get through the day-to-day, but it also fosters a culture of engagement and success that’s beneficial to everyone.

What is leading with compassion?

Before we look into why it matters, it’s important to understand what exactly we mean when we talk about leading with compassion.

As I mention in my book We’re All in This TogetherI’ve heard people describe compassion as “empathy in action.” While empathy is about understanding the emotions of others, compassion takes it a step further by actively contributing to other people’s well-being.

When we lead with compassion, we make a deliberate choice to demonstrate our care for other people in a specific and overt way. And, according to Professor Chris Kukk, Dean of the Cormier Honors College at Longwood University in Farmville, VA, choosing to lead with compassion can lead to something pretty incredible.

Through his research, Dr. Kukk, a professor of political and social science, found that compassion helps build resilience, improve physical health, and motivate both teams and individuals towards more successful outcomes. When teams created a culture of compassion, he concluded that their members were more likely to be engaged, innovative, and collaborative, encouraging everyone involved to perform at their best.

As Dr. Kukk explains in an interview with Psychology Today, “Success is often associated with the individualistic idea of only looking out for number one. However, even Darwin suggested that the most efficient and effective species have the highest number of sympathetic members.”

Leading with compassion: a real-world example

So, what does it look like to lead with compassion?

To learn more about this, I spoke to Scott Shute, the former VP of global customer operations at LinkedIn. For more than six years, he led an organization of more than 1,000 people, inspiring him to take on a new role as the company’s head of mindfulness and compassion programs.

As Scott explained on my podcast, he and his team implemented a wide array of programs to support the people at LinkedIn. Many of these initiatives focused on expanding people’s skills and awareness, and they were widely successful.

“One of the biggest skills needed to achieve our vision at LinkedIn was compassion,” Scott said. “We believe that compassion is not just a better way to live, it’s a better way to build a team and grow a business that is successful, sustainable, and has a positive impact in the world.”

3 tips for leading with compassion

Compassion, like kindness, is something we can cultivate, nurture, and practice. It’s an active choice to consciously and authentically take a friendly, supportive, and considerate approach toward the people in our lives.

According to a study conducted by the American Psychological Association, people who were treated kindly at work repaid those efforts by being 278 percent more generous towards their coworkers.

Essentially, kindness is contagious. The more compassionate we are with our team members, the more likely they are to be that way with us and everyone else around us. Backed by a consistent and deliberate practice of compassion, we’re able to build a kind and caring culture that allows us all to achieve our best results.

Here are a few ways to start cultivating compassion in your life:

#1 – Check in with people

Simply ask people how they’re doing, and give them the space to answer honestly and openly. Showing your interest in other people and their overall well-being is one of the best ways to let them know you care. This is the embodiment of leading with compassion and kindness.

#2 – Listen—really listen

Most people want to be seen and heard. That’s why it’s so important that to listen to them with empathy, and hold back our thoughts and opinions. Give people the space they need to get it all off their chest. Don’t bombard them with advice unless it’s something they specifically ask for.

#3 – Share your feelings with vulnerability

Vulnerability is courageous and liberating. It allows us to connect authentically with those around us in a genuine way. Best of all, it encourages people to share openly and build real trust. When we open up to other people in a vulnerable way, we encourage them to feel safe doing the same with us.

The Bottom Line

Leading with compassion makes a big difference when it comes to building deeper connections with others. Whether you’re looking to build strong bonds with friends and family or boost your relationships at work, the more compassion you lead with, the more effective, positive, and meaningful your interactions will be.  And with all the stress, fear, and chaos in the world right now, we could all use more compassion.

How do you lead with compassion? What does compassion mean to you? Share your thoughts, feelings, opinions, and experiences in the comments section below.

Author(s)

  • Mike Robbins

    Author and Motivational Speaker

    Mike Robbins is the author of five books including his latest, We’re All in This TogetherHe’s an expert in teamwork, leadership, and company culture who delivers keynotes and seminars around the world that empower people, leaders, and teams to engage in their work, collaborate, and perform at their best. Mike and his team partner with clients like Google, Wells Fargo, Microsoft, Schwab, eBay, Genentech, the Oakland A’s, and many others.