Compassionate Leadership Made Simple -- Even Your Kids Can Do It
Empathy is the feeling, compassion is the action.
Showing more compassion to those around you is a leadership FLEX.
And it's simple to do -- but not necessarily easy. Yet, even kids can learn how to do it.
I once saw a 11-year old girl handle a relationship struggle among her friends like a BOSS.
She was able to show compassion to the friend who felt disrespected, AS WELL as the to the friend who was the aggressor.
She listened, validated emotions and was able to show respect to everyone involved.
In the end, there was a healthy outcome and more relational safety among everyone in the group.
You go girl!
Showing more compassion will help you connect to your employees and other colleagues in a much deeper way.
If the people around you feel safe and supported, they will be much more inspired and motivated.
You can be a more COMPASSIONATE LEADER in four (4) areas --
☑️ Attending
This means being present with and focusing on others . You can listen to others with fascination. Active Listening is probably your most important leadership skill and compassionate leaders take time to listen to the celebrations and challenges of their team.
☑️ Understanding
This involves taking time to properly explore and understand the situations people are struggling with. It implies getting past your own judgments and biases and valuing and exploring conflicting perspectives -- rather than simply imposing your own understanding.
☑️ Empathizing
This involves feeling what others feel -- mirroring and feeling your team members' distresses, frustrations, and joy. You "get it" and are able to take the other's perspective -- without being overwhelmed by the emotion.
☑️ Helping
This involves taking thoughtful and intelligent action to support individuals and teams -- both emotionally and logistically. Removing obstacles that get in the way of people doing their work and providing the resources people need are the most important tasks for leaders.
Last Minute Leadership Gifts
’Tis the season -- for GIFTS to help you reduce your STRESS!
And these gifts are great for a last-minute office exchange or stocking stuffers.
As you polish your holiday gift list this year -- include some affordable items that will help your family and friends lower their stress and anxiety.
And maybe you want to put some of these on YOUR last-minute gift list, as well.
These inexpensive items are brain strength tools. They will help calm and regulate the parts of your brain that become inflamed when you feel stressed or anxious.
Most of the these items offer sensory regulation and/or creative expression. It’s the sensory part of the brain that needs attention when you feel upset and dysregulated.
🎁 Candles and/or Essential Oils
Aromatic sensory regulation is a welcome gift for those looking to move to calm. When feeling stressed, some like certain aromas to calm.
🎁 Gratitude Journal
Showing daily gratitude will help calm and reduce stress and anxiety. Proving this outlet will promote the release of pleasurable brain chemicals.
🎁 Bubble bath and Bath bombs
Regulate the bathing experience with that special relaxing fragrance like lavender or vanilla. This will help with pampered self care.
🎁 Adult Coloring Book and Pencils
Help the brain enter the meditative state with creative expression and regulation. Coloring books also available in themes, too.
🎁 Warm fuzzy socks
Comforting the body will help comfort the mind. There’s special relaxation when the feet are warmed.
🎁 Blowing Bubbles Bottles
Having fun blowing bubbles requires slow deep breathing and is effective in helping adults (and children) relax. Offering pleasant throwback memories, as well.
🎁 Fidgets and Stress Balls
Fidgets can help calm and focus. Stress balls, spinners, tangles, and other hand-held sensory objects will also help concentration.
🎁 Desktop Games
Desktop fidgets that offers challenges similar to golf, tetherball, basketball, boxing and more will help distract the busy mind.
Sometimes the smallest of items an be so impactful!
It wont break your budget to provide some calm to those around you this holiday.
Striving for a safe and regulated holiday season!