Compassion…the final C in this series of posts on the 5 Cs of Leadership (Composed, Confident, Consistent, Courageous). Pause for a moment, think about compassionate people in your life who have helped you through physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual struggles. What are some of the characteristics that come to mind?
Merriam-Webster.com:
Compassion: sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it
A noteworthy view of compassion, to quote Albert Schweitzer, “The purpose of human life is to serve, and to show compassion and the will to help others.”
Compassion works with and goes deeper than sympathy or empathy. Where sympathy and empathy are focused around being conscious of the distress others may be experiencing, compassion couples that with a desire to alleviate distress. With compassion, there is a call to action.
As leaders, we need to be careful how we step into that call to action. How well do you know those for whom you are called to care and lead? Do we really understand which actions will provide the best means of helping them get through their distress?
I know that in my own experience, and those who are closest to me, many of our biggest accomplishments and successes have come as a result of overcoming huge struggles in our lives. It was not through someone removing those hurdles, but rather helping me see that I have what it takes to break through a barrier. If someone would have taken away my struggle in physical fitness with some kind of a magic pill, I do not think I would have truly gained an appreciation for the hard work, perspiration, and consistency needed for building strength and endurance. So, in this case, for me, compassion came in the form of encouragement as I stepped through this journey and people recognizing milestones in my progress.
If it were not for mentors guiding me through my leadership journey, I do not know where I would be from an emotional and professional perspective. As I failed in tasks, jobs, relationships, and more; there were key individuals who have reminded me these failures do not define who I am, but rather are learning opportunities towards improvement.
Some of you know me well and have seen me go through a variety of transformations over these past 5 years. Many of you do not even realize how I received compassion from you along this journey. I continue to seek improvement in physical, relational, intellectual, fiscal, and spiritual health and wellbeing. Thank you all for your encouragement and compassion.
Along the way, I have been granted the opportunity to join a group of like-minded individuals, all led by my professional and personal mentor, Richard Rierson. I first met Richard by engaging him for his leadership coaching after listening to his Dose of Leadership podcast. This group of like-minded individuals all contribute to Dose of Leadership University, a growing community of leaders focused on helping each other in our growth. If you have an interest in learning more about how to live these 5 Cs of leadership I encourage you to review the website, check out Richard’s podcast and coaching, and consider joining us.