As an executive leadership mentor and coach for over 15 years, I have noticed that organizations that are managed and led by toxic leaders often experience discord among employees and a breakdown of their cultural norms, which may lead to a dysfunctional working environment. On the other hand, organizations with compassionate leaders at the helm tend to experience harmony and cohesiveness among employees, which leads to a prosperous, harmonious, efficient and effective working environment.
The use of the terms "compassion" and "compassionate" in this article does not mean a leader acting out of pity but rather a leader who behaves and acts with sincere concern for others and considers their well-being a priority. I define a compassionate leader as one who performs selfless acts for others while expecting nothing in return. She or he is a leader who leads with good intentions for the good of the individuals, the organization and society.
Below, I share the seven essential qualities and characteristics that I believe are needed to become a compassionate leader and effectively lead your organization.
Recapturing Our Compassionate Essence
In a perfect world, there would be no need to address the issue of compassion and care for other human beings; unfortunately, we do not live in a perfect world. Today, due to many reasons, many people are often not kind to each other. In some organizations, leaders lead and advocate for the establishment of a chaotic environment and encourage their followers to sustain it. To recapture our compassionate essence and gentle humanity, I have found that it's incumbent upon the leaders of today to lead by a kind and a compassionate example.
Becoming A Compassionate Leader
An organization's culture, norms, beliefs and rituals are all made up and developed by the people who work within it. Whether a great leader is born or made is a much-debated topic, but I believe that a leader is made and developed by the same environment he or she works and lives within. The innate leadership qualities that some people may have, if not developed properly over time, may diminish and vanish. Becoming a compassionate leader involves the same direction and steps of development. Effective compassionate leaders must develop their personality and characteristics.
Based on my understanding of compassion as defined above, compassionate leaders must cultivate and master the following personality characteristics and qualities:
1. Empathy
Compassionate leaders must be able to understand and share the feelings of their followers. You may be successfully able to develop this ability by genuinely trying to understand others and feel what they feel. Put yourself in their position, become them and then assess the situation and make your decision.
2. Sympathy
Compassionate leaders must be able to sympathize with their followers by caring about their well-being and be willing to provide them with the help they need. Ask your followers bluntly what satisfies their organizational and even personal (livelihood) needs. By being sympathetic and meeting the needs of your followers, you can motivate them to achieve the organization's goals.
3. Consideration
Compassionate leaders must be able to show careful thought and behavior to their followers by not causing them unnecessary discomfort or harm. Be considerate of the presence of your followers. As a leader, you set the working relationship standard of what's expected of each other. Mutual respect should be the practiced norm of your working environment. To gain the loyalty and trust of your followers, use your influence and authority to improve working conditions.
4. Understanding
Compassionate leaders must be able to compassionately perceive the behaviors of their followers. Understanding that conflicts can exist as a positive thing within your working environment is essential because it helps to challenge the status quo. Be tolerant and aware of your followers’ feelings and forgive their shortcomings when needed. When a conflict arises, ask for their open feedback and explanations. Your understanding may help clarify any misunderstanding.
5. Caring
Compassionate leaders must be able to show sincere care and kindness to their followers. This complements your consideration of them. Try to show that you care by being kind and empathizing with your followers.
6. Concern
Compassionate leaders must be able to show kindhearted concern for their followers and make their well-being a priority. Showing concern complements the caring and consideration characteristics. Make sure your concern is genuinely practiced. Let them know in advance that your concern about them is meant to help them improve, achieve and become.
7. Ability To Collaborate
Compassionate leaders must be able to work together with others while leading their followers. This characteristic intertwines both internal and external environments. Internally, compassionate leaders collaborate with their followers and across functional and organizational boundaries. Externally, compassionate leaders work together with their organization’s competitors to the betterment of society. Your open communication is key to an effective collaboration. Set the organizational goals of the team and expect them to achieve them, but do not set high expectations. Delegate authority and tasks as needed.
Possessing the qualities and characteristics described above can lead you onto the path of compassionate leadership, but be careful — I have found that only authentic and ethical leaders may truly develop into genuine compassionate leaders. By mastering the above seven qualities, you may also become a thoughtful, mindful, purposeful and noble leader.
