4 Tactics for Showing MORE Compassion in Business

Is compassion something that evolves over time? Is it something that we forget easily in stressful situations? Can the business world engage in greater empathy rituals in this modern day? Let’s break it down into a few pieces to ponder this afternoon.

#1. No wait, let’s go from 4 to 1. In question form too! This will be fun. How will you measure up? Let's see.

#4. Why are you so toxic? This is a question with a double meaning. First, if you feel ridden with toxic energy from other people, as I say in my book, The Kind Communicator, put your imaginary backpack down that is filled with stress and anxiety and let some "stuff" air out. It’s weighing you down! And second, if you are the toxic person (of course, some of you know you are), stop that! If you are causing drama at work because “she did that” or “He said that”, you’re not headed in a healthy direction for 2020 and we all know that this is not the healthiest year by far, so why are you adding to it?

How to fix toxic: Breathe, smile, get coached on how to let it go, both on the receiving and giving end.

#3. Why are you so lost? So many of us feel like we’ve lost our purpose in this pandemic or this year. It’s natural to be down on ourselves, our careers or our business when we’re quarantined and financially distraught. But don’t forget that the cliche is true:When one door closes, another one opens. 

How to fix lost: Don’t stop opening doors!

#2. What’s up with your bad posture? Did you know that your hunching over your laptop, mobile device or your screen gives you a lack of capacity to breathe. And when you don’t breathe in stressful situations, you’re certainly not compassionate, empathetic or nice.

How to fix hunched: Be like the trees. Ground your feet to the floor, lay your head back, smile, breathe and open your arms like a tree. That’ll get your heart open and your posture fixed so that you’re readily able to respond instead of react.

#1. Why are you not taking advantage of your creative spirit? Ah ha! One of the key things that I write about in my communication books is that if adults lose their childlike spirit, they feel stressed and anxious. That makes any situation difficult to handle.

How to fix creativity: Paint, run, dance, draw, cook, write poetry, laugh, do a vision board. All of the things we don't give ourselves permission or time to do will ultimately help our childlike spirit stay high in any time or place.

Now for the kicker: What does this have to do with compassion or empathy? A lot! Whether it's towards the self or others, compassionate behavior in email writing, meetings, paying attention, respect, talking back, toxic drama, throwing people under the bus, not listening. All of it can be helped. It can be coached. People need to relax. If they're not relaxed, they're simply not nice.

If you're an office that wants to fix or penetrate a kinder culture, I recommend bulk buying of my books. Even if you start with 10 or 20 each for leadership, management or executives and trickle down. Let's talk if you're looking for a culture fix because compassion and empathy training, coaching and mentorship will not only keep your business afloat during Covid, it will keep your employees happier.

Learning how to speak and act in new ways as an adult can be aspirational, yet challenging. Elizabeth Barry is an inspirational speaker, business coach and author that helps career driven professionals develop a kinder demeanor, especially when faced with stress. Her methodologies are practical and her zest for life is contagious. Gain self belief and become an influence to everyone around you, including yourself. The courage that lives behind your fear is the bravery you never knew you had- until it arrives. Challenge habits, create boundaries, and nurture relationships as you learn to surrender to what is… and become who you wish to be. www.elizabethbarryconsulting.com