Lead with Compassion Through the Chaos
Hello Friends,
These two weeks have been very hard, and if you’re like me, they’ve made you stop.
The range of emotions is like a rollercoaster.
Shock. Hurt. Angry. Cry. Sad.
So much violence and hatred. How could this be happening? Buffalo, then Laguna Woods, in between these there were more shootings in Dallas, the New York Subway, and then, the elementary school in TX.
It’s too much.
Yet, we know that we must continue to stay focused, remain productive and lead our people to deliver results.
For the leaders who want to be an inclusive leader and prioritize people over profit (because the profit will come when we put people first), I hope sharing these three tips will soothe you and provide tools for you to show compassion through chaos. I visited my trusty library full of resources and mentors I trust from John Maxwell, Simon Sinek, Jennifer Brown and Brene Brown…
Raise your lid:
This means we raise our lid, our capacity and look around to gage how our people are doing…really doing.
You probably have parents on your team who are worried and stressed about taking their kids to school for fear they may not be safe;
or black or brown employees and clients who are exhausted and fearful about safety with going out in public, even to the grocery store (a recent survey showed that 75% of black people worry about their safety when going out in public);
or Asian Americans who are sapped with worry about Asian hate and might be saying "that could have been me or my loved ones at church."
Raising our lid means we let in new ideas and approaches and let go of the "standard" way of doing business.
It means we allow ourselves to be vulnerable and express our feelings and frustrations and may even say something like: "I don’t even know what to say or how to start this conversation, but how can I help you?"
In the past, you might have seen similar situations and thought about the sadness but didn’t do or say anything because well, you didn't know how to start the conversation.
In the words of Brene Brown: Vulnerability is not weakness, it’s our greatest measure of courage. Compassion means you’ll go ahead and speak up, act AND feel the sadness through empathy.
2. Build your connections
One true challenge we have in our workplaces is that we haven’t figured out how to add more minutes or hours to the day. Building connection takes time and we all have deadlines and priorities. Connection means investing in others to engage in conversation, asking questions then listening and asking follow up questions based on the answers they offer. We commit to understanding what’s in their heart…their deep feelings, instead of limiting our connection to just their heads and thoughts. Connection can be tiring and time consuming, and it can be invigorating and so worthwhile.
As a leader, it is your privilege and responsibility to connect with your team and each individual. The leader sets the tone and the temperature for everyone else.
3. Respect each other
Would you take a moment and pause here? ----------Think of someone you respect in your workplace or network…Who comes to your mind? What have they done in the past that makes you respect them?
Did they take risks?
Do you admire how they treat people?
Do they lead with their heart and put people first?
What traits do they exhibit that you’d like for others to see and feel from you?
RESPECT by Aretha Franklin became a hit in 1967! 55 Years ago!!! What is one action you can take TODAY to show respect to someone on your team? How can/will you maintain respect for yourself, and align the way you feel with the way you treat others?
For fun, click here to listen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FOUqQt3Kg0
Pretending as though these very significant and painful situations do not affect people at work and sticking to only work related subjects is incongruent with true leadership. Facing real life at work is compassionate leadership. I encourage you to:
Allocate five minutes to open the meeting to give your thoughts,
reach out to specific people you know are not feeling ok,
or to acknowledge what’s happening with others in a check-in before you delve into the meeting agenda.
These acts of compassion will build loyalty, appreciation and deliver results.
Raise your lid
Increase your connection
Respect each other.
In the words of Maya Angelou, If you’re always trying to be normal you’ll never know how amazing you can be.
I invite you to listen to the LinkedIn Live event I hosted earlier this week where my guests and I shared additional tools to lead with Compassion. I think you'll be glad you listened to thoughts on the difference between empathy and compassion and more.
https://www.linkedin.com/video/event/urn:li:ugcPost:6929491418679844864/
I wish you a pleasant Memorial Day weekend, cherish those who are in your presence.
Click here and scroll down to access the Inclusion Appreciation Calendar to keep you abreast of special diversity events recognized every month.
If you read through this letter it validates that we are on this journey together. Thank you for showing your appreciation to me!
Let me know how I can help you with tools to become an even more effective leader.
I'm looking for more individuals like you, who are committed to cross the bridge from where they are, and take the right steps to narrow gaps...at work, at home and in the community.
Abundance to you!!!
Connect with me on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/michellebeauchamp
Like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/thechampgroup
Make today matter. Let's cross the bridge together to learn.grow.succeed.
Creating Significance
Michelle Beauchamp
The Champ Group
949-713-3622
www.beasaleschamp.net