The C’s of Leadership: Compassion
This post begins a series around the C’s of leadership, featuring a different Leadership C with each new post. Whether you lead a corporation, a church, a department, a classroom, or a family, HOW you lead has enormous impact on those you lead.
I have long thought I’d like to write a book called The C’s of Leadership. But, having already published one book, I’m aware that:
- It’s tons and tons of work, and
- Unless you’re famous, you won’t make any money from it!
Blogging seems easier and more cost effective. So, in the coming weeks, I’m going to blog about my favorite leadership C’s.
I think the most essential leadership “C” is Compassion. We’ve all worked for incompetent supervisors and, admittedly, it is beyond frustrating and annoying. Still, even worse than incompetence is an utter lack of compassion. As humans, we desperately need compassion (you might also call it mercy or empathy). Compassion (even simple decency or kindness) seems to be in short supply in our world today. We need compassion because we’re human… which means we’re flawed and vulnerable… which often leads to feelings of shame and fear… which often leads to competition, polarization, and demonization. Few things trickle down to destroy an organization more than a lack of compassion at the top. Empathy and patience are learned. When those at the top of an organization fail to model compassion, the entire organization evolves into a dog-eat-dog domain. The fear (fed by competition, polarization, and demonization) that a lack of compassion spawns activates our reptilian brain making it impossible for us to be creative, confident, effective and efficient… not to mention, collaborative. When employees or volunteers lose the ability to be creative, confident, effective, efficient and collaborative, it’s “game over” in an organization.
When you show me compassion, I know I matter to you as a human being, first and foremost. Knowing I am valued leads to a sense of security that fuels creativity and collaboration. I can take risks, thereby exploring new ideas and making new discoveries that lead to growth.
| When you show me compassion, I know I matter to you… I can take risks, thereby exploring new ideas and making new discoveries that lead to growth. |
In scripture, God’s response to people is consistently provoked by God’s compassion or mercy. (The Hebrew or Greek word can be translated into English as either compassion or mercy. But, I’m a big fan of alliteration and this blog post isn’t called the M’s of Leadership, so…) Notice how many times those seeking healing from Jesus make their appeal with a plea for mercy/compassion (Matt. 9:27; Matt. 15:22; Matt. 17:15; Matt. 20:30-31; Mark 10:47; Luke 18:38-39). Notice how frequently the Psalmists speak of God’s mercy (Psalm 23:6; Psalm 25:6; Psalm 40:11; Psalm 51:1; Psalm 69:16; Psalm 119:77; Psalm 123:3, etc.). In fact, the first time God self-describes in scripture (Exodus 34:6), “merciful” is the first adjective God employs: (NRS) Exodus 34:6 The LORD passed before [Moses], and proclaimed, “The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness…” Mercy or compassion is used to describe God so frequently, it’s as if it’s God’s middle name!
I suppose there are some leaders who think demonstrating compassion will look weak and cause their direct reports to become lazy and sloppy. But, being compassionate isn’t the same as being a pushover. There’s strength and integrity in being able to say through words and actions, “You matter to me. I want you to do your best AND be your best and I’m willing to provide the support you need to be your best.”
If we want to lead as disciples of Jesus, no leadership C is as important as Compassion.
traceyleslie 