Compassionate Leaders are Effective Leaders. 6 Steps to Becoming One!

Learn why compassion is key to inspiring leadership and how leaders can use caring to manage others well

Good leaders have the intellectual capacity to visualize, strategize, and execute successfully. Great leaders have something additional that makes them exceptional: the ability to lead with compassion.

The coinage "compassionate leadership" became popular several years ago as part of a push to bring greater mindfulness to the corporate world. These practices have proved to yield more productive work environments and increased employee satisfaction.

The characteristics of compassionate leadership

Psychologists describe compassion as more of an action than an emotion. It's a deliberate choice to put others' concerns and the greater good above one's ego.

During the pandemic, compassion has often manifested as acts of generosity. It was demonstrated by the outpouring of emotional and material support for frontline workers, and the accommodations made for parents suddenly charged with homeschooling their children.

Company leaders can build upon those examples to transform their leadership style from good to great. Here are some ways to become a more compassionate leader during this crisis and beyond:

1. First: Look inward

The best leaders are self-aware, a character trait highly correlated with personal and professional success. The first step in providing exceptional guidance to teams is to understand your capabilities and shortcomings.

In addition to evaluating yourself, honestly assess your company. Does it have a culture that allows its employees to express kindness and practice selflessness? If your workplace prioritizes open communication and respect, you have a solid foundation for compassionate leadership. If even suggesting such behaviors feels foreign, there's work to do.  

2. Then: Pay attention

Expressing compassion in the workplace can be as simple as tuning into the needs of employees. A simple "How are you feeling?" or "What can I do to help?" goes a long way toward building trust and inspiring confidence. Active listening is a fundamental tool in the compassionate leader's toolbox.

Communication is essential during a crisis. Let your employees know you are aware of their challenges and want to help any way you can. When they offer suggestions, acknowledge them—even if you don't implement all of them. And when you promise to address something, be sure to do it.

Engage in ways to solicit feedback from your employees frequently, either through formal means such as surveys or informal exchanges.

3. Always lead with kindness

Kindness in the workplace can take many forms. Translate what you've learned from paying attention to your employees into your company policies. Adding extra benefits for caregivers and allowing flexible work hours can make a tremendous difference to struggling employees.

During a crisis, a leader's first instinct is to focus on maintaining control and finding solutions for the most immediate operational problems. But doing so while neglecting the concerns of employees is short-sighted. By helping individuals deal with their challenges, you strengthen connections and lay the framework for your company's recovery.

4. Model exemplary behavior

Great leaders comport themselves in ways they want their employees to imitate. And compassionate leaders model understanding, caring, and selflessness.

Especially during a crisis, people look for their leaders to be strong and do the right thing. If you choose to lead your company with courage and compassion in unusually stressful times, your team will feel obligated to meet the moment with a comparable amount of strength. The opposite is also true.

5. Place unnecessary judgments on hold

Open-mindedness is a crucial characteristic of compassionate leaders. Thus, make every effort to suspend a default tendency to judge others. Seek low-key ways to initiate dialog with employees. Focus on identifying their needs without pressuring them or making them feel vulnerable.

Not all team members will be comfortable asking for help or even accepting it. The best way to reach those people may be initiatives that benefit groups of employees, rather than personal assistance.

6. Surround yourself with the right people

It's much easier to be the best leader you can be when you share values with your employees. One characteristic great leaders have in common is an instinct to choose the right people for their team from the start.

When hiring, consider ways to gauge soft skills and attitudes. A resume and the standard interview cannot reveal aspects of a candidate's personality that may determine whether they are a good fit. If your goal is to create a more compassionate company culture, you will need to screen for those traits.

Carrington Legal Search is celebrating 20 years in business: we were in the trenches with our clients during 9/11 and 2008. We partner with our clients to identify leaders and mission-critical talent to shore up and grow companies, even during the most challenging times. We are here for you! To make our nationwide network work for you, get in touch at 512-627-7467 or email carrie@carringtonlegal.com.