WHY & HOW COMPASSION SHAPES PERSONAL & CULTURAL TRANSFORMATION
Today, I’m suggesting we look at compassion as a vehicle for positively impacting – even transforming – lives and workplace culture.
As with most of my writing or facilitation efforts, I think it’s extremely valuable to get everyone speaking the same language about any given topic. While we may ultimately have different perspectives, I do proactively offer up key vocabulary and working definitions to open the conversation.
After pouring through a variety of definitions for compassion, I’ve chosen a very specific one as the most applicable for this conversation. Compassion can be described as the desire to alleviate the distress of others (Merriam-Webster). I think it’s also worth exploring other key characteristics of compassion.
Compassion is …
concern
a response
a social feeling
a motivation to help
a sensitivity to others
to suffer with [someone] – literal translation
considerate of physical, mental and/or emotional suffering
In summary, I hope to use this blog (and upcoming podcast episode) to make a strong business case for compassion – both as a value and a practice – in our personal and professional lives.
When we express compassion, it will often look like an act of kindness. Unlike empathy, which is an awareness of others’ emotions and seeking to understand, compassion is a response. This means that compassion moves people, therefore shaping their actions and behaviors resulting in compassionate acts.
Evolutionary biologists have researched how the body responds to compassion. The reaction in the body is powerful. The heart rate slows down. There’s an increase in production of the bonding or “love” hormone, oxytocin. And perhaps most importantly, areas of the brain related to empathy, caregiving and feelings of pleasure are activated. I share all this because, according to present-day well-being theory, positive (or pleasurable) emotions are influential in our personal flourishing and life satisfaction. Compassionate acts are therefore a win-win that benefit all involved. Scientists see compassion as having an evolutionary purpose and I don’t disagree.
I initially chose compassion at an exploratory theme for December because I was thinking about two things. First, just how hard we can be on ourselves (especially this time of year) which speaks to self-compassion (or more specifically, a lack thereof). I was also feeling increased empathy and concern that not everyone has a positive experience of the holiday season or the winter months. It can be a difficult time of year for a variety of reasons.
As I’ve sat with this topic of compassion, I have four suggestions – that provide insights for both why and how compassion might fit into our work and lives:
Nurturing self-compassion could be a critical self-care strategy for some people. For those of us who experience persistent self-criticism, self-compassion is a skill and practice that can allow us to get through uncomfortable feelings like pain, failure, doubt and shame.
“Self-compassion has been defined as a self-attitude that involves treating oneself with warmth and understanding in difficult times and recognizing that making mistakes is part of being human (Neff, 2003).”
Whether navigating harsh self-talk related to habits and body image or a dropped ball at work, perhaps you can see how flexing self-compassion muscles could keep us from a downward spiral of unhealthy coping. Training programs centered on emotional intelligence and/or a book study on the topic are just two ways to layer this development into the day.
Strengthening compassionate communication could lead to more positive outcomes and superior conflict resolution. Exploration of varying communication styles continues to be a large opportunity for groups and workplaces. While some people are naturally gifted in navigating difficult or uncomfortable conversations, others will report feeling completely unequipped. Building a communication toolbox is never a bad idea.
As a health coach, I can share that compassionate communication is critical when navigating conversations related to change, barriers, trauma, self-esteem and so much more. Invite compassionate communication into your day and team by (again) hosting a training or sharing education on what it is and how it positively shifts conversations to be productive, healthy and intentional.
Relieving distress – whether our own or others’ – is a stress-mastery strategy and a means for social impact. When/if we find ourselves or others in a distressing situation, compassionate acts can support with weathering the storm. Whether it’s assisting someone to find professional help or encouraging them to practice self-care, there are so many ways we can work to process stress is a healthy and caring way.
From a community or philanthropic perspective, we can pool valuable resources like time, energy and funding to help ease the distress experienced from food insecurity, homelessness, natural disasters, healthcare crisis and so much more.
Combat compassion fatigue to prevent burnout in key industries. There will always be industries and roles that are vulnerable to compassion fatigue and burnout due to the demands of the workday. While I’m here to promote what strong compassion can do to support individuals and organizations, I must acknowledge that there may be times and scenarios that require a different approach to restore and better support people.
For those working in emergent, high-stress environments like helping or first-responder roles, client relations, patient services or customer services, it’s understandable that one might leave work feeling as though they have nothing left to give. In these scenarios we would look at how to acknowledge individuals’ compassion fatigue and support them in alternative ways: midday meditation, flex time, expanded mental health services, additional paid breaks and/or health coaching so that they can be on the receiving end of compassion as well.
It's my intention to explore a wide variety of considerations for how we can collectively re-imagine or improve the workday so that everyone wins. If this topic spoke to you in some way, or you have additional insights to share in response, I’d love to hear from you.
Sources: Stanford Medicine | Greater Good Magazine
Author: Katy Tombaugh