What’s Love Got to Do with It? | Leading with Compassion

23/11/2023

How Compassionate Leadership Transforms Teams and Organisations

My first memory of feeling truly inspired dates back to my secondary school English teacher, Mrs. Boland. Despite our adolescent restlessness, she captured our imagination, encouraged us to believe in ourselves, and helped us tune into our unique strengths. She didn’t just teach; she challenged us to think for ourselves and questioned who we were as individuals, not just as students. She was also an incredible storyteller. Looking back, this was one of my earliest experiences of encountering a brilliant leader.

Fast forward to last year, and I found myself inspired by another educator, my son’s headteacher. Amid the challenges posed by COVID-19, she made time to support my child and our family through our personal struggles. Instead of emailing, she called. She delivered difficult messages with compassion, listened fully, and acknowledged our situation and feelings wholeheartedly.

We Need Leaders We Feel Connected To

When we think of great leaders, we first think of those who have inspired us, believed in us, and used their positions to empower us rather than themselves. We remember those who have taken decisive actions when needed, made tough calls, and done so with character, compassion, and heart. Over the past two years, the most successful leaders have listened to their people, demonstrated genuine care, and shown true compassion. They’ve had the courage to say, “I’m not OK,” winning respect and trust in abundance. Yes, we’ve needed clear strategies and plans to navigate COVID-19, but we’ve needed them from leaders we feel connected to.

Love to Serve, Serve with Love

Great leaders often know personal struggle. Instead of being driven by the pain, they use it to understand others. They possess great wisdom and emotional intelligence, seeing beyond facts and figures to the people and lives behind them. They speak with courage and humility, imagining what seems possible and having the patience to make it a reality. Their authority comes from within, not from external recognition. True leadership, like love, is about advocating for the success and well-being of others. It is unconditional and selfless. The best leaders understand that they are in service to those around them, and they love it that way.

Love Is at the Heart of Great Leadership

Valentine’s Day may come once a year, but stories of kindness, listening, and empowerment show that love is at the heart of leadership all year round. It may not come with heart-shaped balloons, but is there a love stronger than enabling others to succeed? Leading with love doesn’t require a title or authority. It doesn’t come from privilege or entitlement. Instead, it guides and connects, invests and inspires, moving people to transformation and action.

Lead with love, and the legacy you leave will be lifelong.