Creativity and Compassion

You don’t hear much about compassion about these days.

It gets lost in busy, busy, busy, work, work, work.

Maybe because it sounds both weak and old fashioned – not a winning combination!

In fact, the whole idea of compassion can be seen as soft or out of place in a world driven by results and efficiency. But compassion is far from outdated. ?It is a critical leadership skill, especially now, when work cultures are growing increasingly competitive and harsh.

Compassion - I wish I was better at it.

I’m not sure what the official dictionary definition is, but to me it’s more than empathy it’s also behaving with kindness and humanity.

Why Compassion Matters Now More Than Ever

Like every generation we live in a time where pressures at work and home seem to grow and grow. Deadlines loom, expectations grow, and often, the human element gets lost in the hustle and bustle. It is all too easy to forget that the people we work with and lead are not just resources; they are individuals with their own challenges, emotions, and aspirations.

That is why, cultivating compassion is not just a nice-to-have skill but essential.

Without it, workplaces become hostile, creativity dries up, and employee engagement plummets.

A place driven solely by profit and performance will eventually struggle.

On the other hand, organisations that prioritize compassion create more sustainable, innovative, and engaged work environments. If it’s so obvious, why do we find it so hard to do?

1-? I think it’s because to be compassionate you need to be in a place good with strong self-belief, self-confidence and self-esteem. You need your foundations to be strong before you can be compassionate to others. If you suffer from chronic Impostor syndrome being compassionate to others will be though and will not be the first thought in your mind – You are in survival mode.

2 - Compassion is not a habit. If something is habitual it gets easier to do over time. If it’s not habitual not only starting off is hard, but so is the doing.?

3 -? the fear of getting it wrong. How do you show compassion without coming off as condescending or belittling?

4 - ?There is a misconception that compassion means lowering standards or sacrificing results. Many fear that being too compassionate might lead to being taken advantage of or appearing weak.

Compassion does not mean compromising on expectations or results. Rather, it’s about recognising people’s strengths and weaknesses, providing support where needed, and building an environment that allows people to thrive.

It’s also about striking the right balance. Leading with kindness while maintaining the professionalism necessary to achieve business goals.

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Be Kind Without Being Condescending

Managing people requires a delicate balance between showing understanding and maintaining authority. Compassionate management doesn’t mean lowering your standards or avoiding difficult conversations.

The key is to communicate in a way that uplifts rather than diminishes.

Instead of focusing solely on what went wrong, take the time to understand the reasons behind the issue. Was it a lack of resources? Confusion about the task? I guarantee if you ask why five times the root cause of any problem will come back to management and leadership – You.

So be careful with the blame game.

When employees feel compassion from their managers, they are more likely to trust and respect leadership. In turn, they feel more empowered to be creative, knowing that their efforts are supported rather than scrutinized.

Compassion is about being kind not nice. Nice tends to give vague praise and goes along with things, and kind speaks the truth but with compassion.

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Creativity Thrives in Compassionate Environments

We are getting there….Creativity and compassion go hand in hand. A compassionate workplace is one where employees feel safe to share ideas, take risks, and express themselves without fear of judgment. When we cultivate compassion, we remove barriers to creativity.

Yippee.

Why is this important? More than ever, innovation is key to staying competitive. Creativity can’t flourish in an environment of fear, criticism or stress. Instead, it thrives where compassion, kindness and understanding are real. In Fortem, we capture it in our values of ?Courage, Care and Respect.

What’s in it for me?

Compassion is not just for others. It’s equally important to be compassion to yourself. If you are not it will only lead to burnout, anxiety, and a constant feeling of never being good enough.

Self-compassion doesn’t mean lowering your standards or becoming complacent. It means recognising your limitations, taking time to recharge, and treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding you’d offer a friend/colleague/family member.

When you practice self-compassion, you will more resilient and better equipped to lead others with compassion. You’re also more likely to be creative, as self-compassion allows you not to be perfect, but a work in progress.

Get it right and your compassion will show your Warmth, Wisdom, Strength and Kindness

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How to be more Compassionate.

1. Listen Actively: Make an effort to truly hear what others are saying. Avoid interrupting or assuming you know the answer. Sometimes, just being heard can make all the difference.
2. Show Appreciation: Regularly acknowledge your team’s efforts. A simple “thank you” can go a long way in making employees feel valued.
3. Encourage Balance: Support your team’s well-being by promoting work-life balance. Encourage breaks and downtime, and avoid overloading them with unreasonable expectations.
4. Be Patient: Understand that everyone has bad days. Instead of reacting with frustration, approach challenges with patience and offer solutions.
5. Allow yourself: Firstly, practice compassion on yourself and then spread your wings!

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Above all compassion is a real strength

Compassion may seem like an old-fashioned word, but its relevance has never been more significant. Compassion is a leadership trait that will set you and your organisation apart.

It’s not about being soft, nice or letting people off easy. It’s about leading with humanity, kindness and understanding.

Do this and you will go from strength to strength – as will your team and your organisation

??CTA – Stop and ask yourself what compassion means to you. I bet you have never done that before. The chances are it will be your best CTA of the year!

PS – I just looked up a definition for Compassion, to understand, to act with positive intent, to secure the best for all.

I’ll go with that.