Great results require toughness. The belief that compassion is soft and toughness gets results explains why so little compassion exists in organizations.
I’m an either/or type person, it’s my nature. I wrongly believe combining contrasting qualities weakens both. But, toughness and compassion are perfect bedfellows.
Bullies aren’t strong and compassionate leaders aren’t weak.
Toughness infuses compassion with meaning.
Results:
Lowering achievable expectations isn’t compassion; it’s disrespect. Compassionate leaders respect talent by calling people to rise and meet challenges. Stretching is belief in potential.
Conflict:
Compassion’s toughness is seen in conflict. Weakness ignores or runs from conflict. Compassion faces conflict head on.
Inclusion:
Compassion includes super-stars and rising-stars in its inner circle. Reach beyond how others enhance your image; consider how you enhance theirs.
Toughness requires supportive environments.
Heart of compassion:
Compassion springs from authenticity. Phonies fear and reject compassion. Authentic leaders accept their own frailties and abilities, in so doing; they open their hearts to others.
Accepting weaknesses is the first step toward maximizing strengths. Phony leaders don’t accept weaknesses and seldom maximize strengths.
Realize or release:
Compassion realizes potential in others; if not, it reassigns or releases. Expecting achievement extends compassion. “I believe in you,” expresses compassion.
Toughness expects people to pull heavy loads. Compassion pulls with them.
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Great feedback on Facebook: “Compassionate leaders ______.”
How are you bringing compassion and toughness together?
What examples of compassion and toughness have you seen?
