Having compassion at work and giving others the benefit of the doubt is something I’ve been thinking about a lot lately.
I’ve had a stomach virus for days, but I have a mountain of deadlines and webinars and client work.
My uncle also passed away unexpectedly during this time – I’ve had to be there for my dad who is elderly and dealing with a lot.
I’ve had to say no to certain things, be unresponsive on others and just get some stuff out the door – no matter how bad I was feeling.
As an entrepreneur, I don’t get to take many sick days. I also hate letting people down – and especially letting myself down – but sometimes we just have no choice because we are human. I felt this same way when I got Omicron a few months ago.
Sometimes people are quieter than usual at work, but it doesn’t mean they are not working – or it may mean they are dealing with something in their personal life – but they just don’t want to talk about it.
If they do talk about it, please be compassionate. It’s okay if that email goes out a day late or the social post goes up a day later. What’s not okay is being tone deaf to your people.
Not being a compassionate leader can cost you dearly in terms of talent – especially during this Great Resignation period.
I’ve been struggling to just make it through the day without being sick for the past few days – like you, I solider on – it’s hard when it feels like those around us are insensitive to what we are dealing with or piling on you.
I know I want to work with and for compassionate people. I know that I treat others the same way I want to be treated and I wish everyone lived by that.
Are you a compassionate leader? Do you give your team the benefit of the doubt? Can you be more understanding of their personal circumstances? Don’t stop being compassionate just because the darkest days of the pandemic seem to be over (for now).
Ask before you assume anything. Give others the benefit of the doubt. And most of all, take care of yourself.