'Hi everyone, I am a Compassionate Leader'...the new social profile and identity. It's great, but...

---

There is a new trend in town individuals adding "compassionate leader" to their social profiles, such as LinkedIn, which is a really positive sign that people are recognising the importance of taking a compassionate stance in their leadership style. The rise of this label on social media is a reflection of a growing understanding that a leader's effectiveness is not only defined by their technical skills and expertise, but also by their ability to connect, (being consciously aware) with their team members and the wider community in a meaningful and honest way.

Compassionate leadership is NOT just about putting people first. It's NOT just about understanding the needs, challenges and aspirations of your team members, and fostering an environment that prioritizes their well-being and development. A compassionate leader is someone has compassion as a state of mind and doesn't need to boast or brag about it. A compassionate leader can instantly identify when someone is in pain or is suffering and takes action, regardless of the corporate policy. A compassionate leader uses their instinctive human instincts and puts this ahead of ego, commercial gain, role advancement or even their career. Many people talk about creating a culture of trust - well trust is not a cultural, its human nature. However, great leaders do listen actively, and respond with empathy, understanding and care that supports the creation of a culture of trust and inclusivity, and they lead by example with their actions.

There a loads and loads of great examples of compassionate leaders. One example is the CEO of Patagonia, Rose Marcario. She has successfully fostered a culture of environmental and social responsibility within the company, and has been vocal about the importance of balancing profit with purpose. Under her leadership, Patagonia has implemented policies such as offering paid paternity and maternity leave, and using sustainable materials in their products. These actions not only benefit the employees but also the environment and society.

Another example is the CEO of Buffer, Joel Gascoigne. He has been transparent about his struggles with mental health, and has implemented policies such as unlimited vacation and remote work options to support the well-being of his team members. He has also been vocal about the importance of inclusivity and diversity, and has taken steps to ensure that the company’s hiring and promotion practices are fair and equitable.

However, being a compassionate leader is not just about individual actions and policies. It's about creating a culture and an environment that supports and embodies the values of compassion. It moves beyond the realms of empathy and sympathy (empathy is a listening tool without action and sympathy just reinforces the pain and suffering!!). For organisations, having a compassionate leaders - no matter your job title or position does lead to increased employee engagement and retention, improved productivity, and a stronger reputation in the community. But this can only happen when the entire organisation is aligned with and committed to the same values and principles, at a human level.

For example, Google's Project Aristotle, which studied the company's most successful teams, found that the key factor that differentiated high-performing teams from average ones was psychological safety. Psychological safety is the belief that one will not be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns, or mistakes. A culture of psychological safety can only be created when everyone in the organization, including the leadership, is committed to creating an environment where people feel safe to speak up and be heard.

In conclusion, the trend of individuals identifying as compassionate leaders on social media is a positive step towards a more humanistic leadership style. However, it's crucial for both individuals and organisations to not only label themselves as such, but to actively embody and promote the values of compassion in their everyday actions and policies. Bless you and thank you if you are in the camp that has added the phrase compassion to your social profile. You are the ones that make the difference. Compassion in business starts with you.

Nigel

Stay blessed and live your life with compassion

"PLJ", Peace, Love and Joy.