Passion and Compassion in Leadership

In researching material for this blog, I discovered a blog through the Harvard Business School called Conversation Starters. I was attracted to a post by John Baldoni, a leadership consultant, executive coach, and author. In a selection entitled You Need Both Passion and Compassion to Lead, Mr. Baldoni offers these suggestions on how to support a team in developing both passion and compassion.

To stoke passion:

• Set high goals. People who love what they do love to push to see how high and how well they can fly. By setting stretch objectives, you push motivated people to do their best. The pursuit dovetails with their passion.
• Stoke the fires. Give frequent feedback so people know where they stand. When folks get off track, show them the way back so they can apply their passion toward meeting the needs of the team.
• Measure results. Passionate people love to know how they are doing and what it means. Show how what they do matters in terms of gains against goals. And whatever the measurement, broadcast it.

To nurture compassion:

• Coach frequently. Management is a process of enabling others to succeed, specifically putting them into positions where they can succeed. Provide them with guidance. This is the compassion equivalent of "stoke the fires."
• Put people first. Look for ways to put this concept into action. Insist on people-friendly HR policies related to sick leave and child and elder care. Consider flexible schedules. Look for ways to accommodate those who want to work part-time, such as parents with young children.
• Support volunteerism. Make it known that your organization will donate time and effort to community service efforts. Perhaps it is a local school or maybe a family shelter or a multiplicity of assistance efforts. Some organizations provide paid leave for people engaged in community volunteer efforts. That is wonderful but not always possible. What is possible for most however is simple recognition of community need and a commitment to serve it.

All good thoughts to start the week!