There was a time when people went to work armoured up like Iron Man. It was considered “professional”. Anything else "unprofessional". Uncomfortable clothing, a fake smile and never sharing out humanity was normal. We were expected to have a very firm line between work and home.
For women this was especially difficult since the bulk of the emotional and physical labour of our home life still fell on our shoulders. And for those of us who can’t help but feel deeply, trying to play at the “big boys” table was especially difficult.
Fortunately, the world has changed. In this post triple pandemic world our feelings and personal lives have never been on fuller display. This has perhaps created a tension between generations in the workforce that needs to be acknowledged.
If you are someone who is feeling a little shell shocked by the “demands” of younger colleagues to have hybrid workplaces or demand healthier workplace practices and policies I’d like to invite you to lead with more compassion.
Creating more compassionate teams who treat each other with kindness and creating space to centre our humanity does have a positive impact on the bottom line. When we centre our collective humanity amazing things happen.
Here are just a few:
Happier more loyal teams: Compassion creates an environment where individuals feel valued and understood. When your team believes their well-being is a priority, they are more likely to bring their best selves to work and overall team performance and productivity is enhanced.
Improved adaptability and resilience: Organizations that have compassionate leaders are better equipped to handle challenges and changes. Compassionate leadership involves understanding and empathy, which can help effectively responding to individual concerns and fears during times of change. This not only helps in navigating through difficulties more smoothly but also builds resilience, enabling your team to bounce back from setbacks more effectively.
Stronger relationships with donors and beneficiaries: By demonstrating genuine care and concern for the needs and well-being of others, organizations can build deeper, more meaningful relationships with their community at large. This can lead to increased donor loyalty and improved stakeholder engagement. People will be drawn to your organization and be compelled to support it.
In a world where discord is so prevalent. When demands are greater and resources are fewer, we need to celebrate our collective humanity more. This might look like simply taking time to ask your team how they are doing – for real – at the beginning of a meeting or creating space for a pause in the workday.
If Elmo can do it. You can too!
I’m Kimberley. I am a former charity executive and now a, ICF certified coach who works with charity executives who want to get calm, clear and confident. I am currently taking on new clients. Please book your free sample session today.