Leadership = Compassion for Yourself and Others

We all carry our own secret pains. We all have burdens that weigh us down.

Sometimes we can get caught up in achievement and results and lose sight of our own human-ness and that of those around us.

To increase your capacity for compassion for another human being, try asking yourself these questions:

What is this person’s biggest burden?

What keeps them up at night?

What are their biggest fears? What are their self-doubts?

What are their heartbreaks?

What are their unfulfilled longings?

What is their private suffering?

Our world is growing ever more complex, and we are all trying to navigate it as best we can. We all have our struggles, and we need to show more compassion for ourselves and others. We all need it. The world needs it.

I show compassion when I’m out the world by being gracious at letting people move in line in front of me, smiling and saying hello to people, entertaining a small child in the grocery line, speaking with someone who looks lonely, giving generous tips, noticing nametags and using their name, waving at people, sharing food with someone who needs it, giving children a thumbs-up, being patient with sales clerks and telling them they’re doing great, buying a total stranger a cup of coffee.

Spread a little love today. Be kind to yourself and others. Let love win.