Is compassion in leadership a weakness?
Note: I’m moving to a new newsletter tool, which means Super Sunday letters may come to you on different days of the week for a limited time period. This is essential for the tool to be effective as it starts.
The content will continue to be the same. I appreciate your understanding and patience as I make this transition. Your support means a lot to me.
Hello friend! 👋
It’s a mistake to see compassion as a weakness.
Many leaders believe that being kind equates to being soft.
Yet the best work is created through creativity, belonging, and trust—all byproducts of being kind.
So, how do you show kindness as a leader?
Let’s unpack that together.
1. Build awareness
(Why is this important?)
Studies in positive psychology show that compassion is a far better motivator than punishment.
Why? Because compassion strengthens relationships and creates a foundation of trust and support. In environments where leaders lead with kindness, employees tend to feel more valued, which fuels resilience and confidence.
This approach doesn’t just make people feel good; it also builds loyalty and productivity.
On the other hand, punishment creates fear and resistance—an excellent recipe for toxicity and unproductivity. When employees are afraid to make mistakes, innovation is stifled, and people begin to disconnect from their work.
Compassionate leadership, therefore, isn’t a weakness; it’s an essential skill for building a strong, resilient team.
2. Make these choices:
(How to bring it to life?)
1. Be genuine about being kind:
Your gestures and decisions speak louder than the words on the website or on pantry banners.2. Be firm, with a heart full of love:
Being fair is the ultimate display of kindness.3. Listen to understand:
Kindness can be as simple as making some feel heard.4. Show compassion to yourself:
You really can’t pour from an empty cup.5. Acknowledge effort and growth:
Recognize and celebrate others’ progress, big or small.
3. Build them in a system:
(Make it consistent using the science of habit and willpower)
Keep a consistent journaling practice:
Set reminders for random acts of kindness.
Reflect on your day and events where you have shown kindness (at home and at work)
Celebrate these moments and identify ‘why’ you chose to be kind (science tells us knowing why deepens the practice for the future).
True kindness is powerful, not weak, and it creates a foundation for lasting success.
Thanks for reading!
Have a Super Sunday! ⚡️
With much joy,
Hashim