Why Compassion is Important in Leadership

Hello everyone! This weekend, I attended an outdoor wedding of the most wonderful couple who are clearly meant for each other.  During the exchange of their vows, compassion was a big theme.  We know that compassion is a major predictor of the success of a personal relationship. The vows helped me remember that compassion is also an important part of leadership, too.
 
What is compassion?  Compassion literally means to suffer together.  In other words, you see the suffering in others and respond with empathy and concern. 
 
We have all had those moments when we have seen a lack of compassion by leaders (Heck, maybe that leader was us). Whether it was a supervisor who didn’t give time off for a family emergency or a coworker who gossiped about something personal, a lack of compassion is can take many forms. A lack of compassion leads to a transactional workplace that lacks imagination and passion for the mission.  That's not a good thing.

In contrast, a workplace with compassionate leaders is expansive, full of possibility and brings out the best in coworkers. A compassionate leader sees the good in others, understands that life brings challenges, and finds ways to creatively resolve the issues that arise from inevitable issues that human beings experience. A compassionate leader listens to understand a person’s suffering and puts themselves in that other person’s shoes.
 
A large body of research supports the importance of compassionate leadership. In addition to significant health benefits, compassion has a significant impact in the productivity of a workplace.  Peer-reviewed research has found that compassionate workplaces have less employee emotional exhaustion and lower absenteeism. The Toyota Production System, which has resulted in the most productive workplaces in the world, embraces respect for people.  It is deeply rooted in the desire "to do things for others."  The Toyota Production System, which has resulted in the most productive workplaces in the world, embraces respect for people.  It is rooted in a desire to “do things for others.”
 
 What can you do to embed compassion in your leadership?
 
Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Keep your eyes out for colleagues who are suffering at work and take action to help.
• Have big ears and a little mouth – learn to become an active listener.
• Show appreciation and gratitude for someone’s contribution by letting them know.
• When things don’t go right, ensure that the person is given feedback in a way that is focused on their growth.
• Work on having compassion for those who you don’t see every day – maybe another department or someone in a call center.
• Develop compassion for yourself, too. We are all learning.

 
Here what I am reading:

• Leading with Compassion has Research Backed Benefits from Harvard Business Review. 
• Whither Compassionate Leadership?  A Systematic Review from the NIH 
• The Center for Compassionate Leadership’s listing of the latest research 

 
I hope you have a wonderful day and find ways to express compassion to yourself and others.  I am a lifelong learner and will be working at it right along with you.
 
All My Best,
Brenna


I love to write and share my passion for purpose driven leadership. Download your copy of my Purpose Power Worksheet, which is designed to connect you with your own unique purpose. 
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(c) Brenna Davis, 2025 - All Rights Reserved