The task of being a leader over the last two years has required a great deal of empathy. Leaders are helping teams recover from the grief and loss of the pandemic, buoying the declining mental health of their employees, and being sensitive to people’s anxieties. And while being empathetic — having a close, visceral understanding of the other person’s experience — is important, acting on that feeling and exhibiting compassion will allow you to better support your people. To move from empathy to compassion, start by taking a mental and emotional step away to get a clearer perspective of the situation and the person. Creating distance may feel counterintuitive but it’s hard to see solutions when you are too emotionally involved in the problem. Of course, you also want to ask the person what they need. If it’s something you can feasibly offer, offer it. But remember that you won’t always be able to meet their requests, and in many instances, that’s ok. Taking compassionate action is sometimes a matter of listening and being a caring presence.
Tag: coaching
When you’re a leader, leaving your job isn’t always straightforward. How you manage your departure will influence how your coworkers and organization remember you and either enhance or damage your reputation. Here’s how to set your team up for success before you move on to your next opportunity. Start by identifying your priorities. Be realistic about what you can accomplish and concentrate on issues where you really are the only person for the job. Then share these priorities with everyone — your boss, peers, and direct reports. At the same time, establish boundaries so you don’t get sucked into new crises and projects. Next, create a detailed transition plan for your boss that outlines what will need attention after you leave, and your recommendations for how to best get the work done. Finally, prepare your team — especially your successor if you know who they are — for your departure. Talk to your employees about what they hope to accomplish in the future and ask them to identify the stakeholders that are critical for their success. What can you do to reinforce these relationships and set them up to achieve their goals before you say goodbye?