Compassion in Times of Crisis
Many current events are pulling the world on a downward twirl — and coming from me, the Chief Executive Optimist, that is saying something. However, as the saying goes, there is a silver lining here: the opportunity for people to amp up their compassion in the workplace with the power of I see you and thank you.
People are living a personal journey in a professional space, meaning that both are intertwined now more than ever before. While we perhaps were better at navigating parallel lives pre-pandemic — work and home — the two have morphed. We used to have a much clearer separation; but now, many find themselves half-in/half-out all day long.
Consider how you are constantly disrupted by events around you whilst working from home (“I’ll let in FedEx, I’ll quickly change the laundry, I’ll help my child with homework, etc.”). And I haven’t even started on national and international events: they matter, people are rightfully concerned, and it can be hard to compartmentalize. Then there are people who work across time zones on top of it all — that is one juggle jungle.
The reality for those going back to the office now is that there are different work styles, expectations, generation gaps, and ways of processing information to reconcile. So an even greater effort is needed on behalf of leaders to respond to the new, emerging culture. It may not be the one that is ideal, or the one the company wishes to have — but it is what you have. So how do you lead your teams through this moment and foster a culture of compassion?
Have you, for example, simply acknowledged that we are living in hard times? Just the simple act of stating that can go a long way. Have you acknowledged that we are being asked to do everything more quickly while nothing has been reduced (except for commute time, in some cases)?
Unleash the Triple A approach:
Ask: Some people are juggling between going back to work and staying home. Others are having existential crises: should I stay or go? Some are paralyzed by constant change, wanting to stay exactly where they are. You need to meet people on all levels, and that means checking in to ask them — often, with the goal of seeking a genuine answer.
Acknowledge: This doesn’t have to be a pity party, but acknowledgement can be as simple as thanks. Thanks for being in the office, thanks for completing your task, thanks for putting in an extra effort on XYZ. There can never be too many thank yous, and individuals love to know that they are being seen and recognized.
Adopt: A growth mindset. Through a lens of curiosity, you can always discover new possibilities and perspectives for compassion in the workplace — whether online or in person.
With joy,
Dr. Helen
