Some people may believe they need to choose between being a good person or a tough, effective leader, but the two are not mutually exclusive. Being a humane leader is necessary and will help you gain the wisdom you need to succeed in business, according to Harvard Business Review.
Following are four ways to be a more compassionate leader.
- Treat others the way you want to be treated. This may seem like a cliché, but it is the foundation of compassionate leadership.
- Listen to your employees. If you can hear them with an open mind and a willingness to learn, you will become wiser and better equipped to help them.
- When you are about to engage with someone on your team, take a moment to reflect on what might be going on with him or her. Ask yourself what support the employee may need and be ready to offer help.
- Challenge people to see their potential. When employees are doing well, you might fear pushing them to do more could discourage or demotivate them. Instead of shying away from such conversations, reframe them as an indication you truly care and want to see your team members grow.
