The power of compassion: Why every leader needs it

The last 24-months I have spent time researching what compassion means to people and how we become compassionate in the face of adversity as part of my PhD research.

As a business owner and having worked in various organisations in leadership roles, the one thing I have realised is our inabilities to show compassion towards our employees. I am a big believer that employees make the crux of our services, they pretty much run our service based on the things we want to achieve. Our goals as a company become their goals.

Yet, in this fast-paced and highly competitive world of business, traits like ambition, resilience, and strategic thinking are often lauded as the keys to success. However, in the midst of profit margins and market shares, one essential quality often gets overlooked is that of compassion. Compassion is not just a trait associated with personal relationships; it is a vital attribute that every leader should possess. I am going to share with you from a psychological point of view why it is crucial for leaders to possess this quality and how it can attribute to long-term success.

So, let’s begin with understanding what compassion is.

According to various researchers, compassion is a feeling that arises when you are confronted with another’s suffering and feel motivated to relieve that suffering. But, in the world of business and leadership, what does that actually mean?

Well, let’s break it down.

Being compassionate and offering compassion are two distinctively different things.

Being compassionate is an innate quality or virtue that resides within an individual. It is the ability to empathise with others, to understand their suffering or challenges, and to genuinely care about their well-being. It involves having a deep sense of concern, kindness, and a willingness to alleviate the suffering of others.

On the other hand, showing compassion refers to the outward expression or manifestation of that innate compassion. It is the act of actively demonstrating care, empathy, and support for others. Displaying compassion involves taking tangible steps to help, comfort, or uplift those in need. It is often expressed through acts of kindness, active listening, providing assistance, or offering emotional support when needed.

So, as leaders working in various industries the question you need to ask yourself is: are you compassionate and if you are then how are you actively showing that you genuinely care about the mental health and well-being of your employees?

When answering this question, bear in mind this isn’t about the type of EAP services you’re offering or you have an open-door policy but more around your demeanour, the way you carry yourself, the type of language you use, and the warmth you display.

In an ideal world, compassionate leaders have a deep sense of understanding of employee human behaviour and are able to display compassion when needed. However, realistically we are human-beings and very capable of human error so to be constantly compassionate can be overwhelming for many of us.

So, how should we do it. Here are some take-away points that explain how to be a consciously compassionate leader.

Leaders who lead with compassion inspire their employees to give their best. They work together to create a positive work environment where employees feel their concerns are going to be met with kindness and empathy. Compassionate leaders foster a culture of collaboration, trust, and loyalty where employees will go the extra mile to achieve organisational goals.

Business owners often work in a bubble and work hard enough to build their business at a level that they are proud of and at the best of times think they should do it all on their own because no one else will do a better job at it. But the truth of the matter is that most compassionate leaders understand that success is not solely reliant on their own efforts, but on the collective contributions of an entire team. By valuing relationships and treating everyone with respect and kindness, they build a strong foundation of trust and rapport. Having a team that is cohesive and dedicated can achieve better results than having a team that only does mediocre work because as their leader you just don’t get them.

See, compassion gives us the ability to get people, to understand human behaviour. It gives us the opportunity to connect to people at various intervals in their lives and when employees are going through a crisis, they know you’ll just get them.

The single most important reason why employees don’t share their ideas is because they are afraid of being judged or there will be some kind of retribution. Being a compassionate leader means creating a safe environment where employees feel safe to express their ideas, take risks and think outside the box. When we allow individuals to share diverse perspectives and bring forth innovative solutions, we are removing fear and replacing it with something more tangible. Compassion teaches leaders that by tapping into the collective intelligence of their teams, they can explore new opportunities, stay ahead of the competition, and adapt to a rapidly changing market dynamic.

We all know, that the reputation of any company is intrinsically linked to the behaviour and character of its leadership. A compassionate leader demonstrates a genuine commitment to social responsibility, ethical practices, and making a positive impact on society. Social psychology teaches us that consumers are often drawn to organisation that prioritise compassion, fairness, and sustainability. Therefore, leaders who choose compassionate leadership over strategic leadership will attract top talent, forge strategic partnerships, and cultivate long-term relationships with stakeholders.

Further to this, is that leaders who possess emotional intelligence will have better outcomes. Leaders who are emotionally intelligent have an understanding of their own emotions and those of others. They are able to navigate through crises by acknowledging their own emotions rather than trying to blame others. They are also able to resolve disputes and make decisions that consider the well-being of everyone involved. It is easy as a leader to blame your employees but it takes a lot of courage to accept responsibility and work with your team.

In a world where the bottom line often takes precedence, the value of compassion in leadership cannot be overstated. Leaders who embrace compassion have the opportunity to create a culture of trust, engagement, and innovation, leading to increased productivity, stronger relationships, and a positive brand reputation. By prioritising the well-being and success of their employees, compassionate leaders lay the foundation for sustainable growth, profitability, and long-term success.