Compassionate Leadership

I'm struggling to wrap my head around so many difficult news headlines this morning... State of the Union, ripped up State of the Union, Medal of Freedom, impeachment vote, Iowa... whew, it's all just heavy.

After my daily morning dive into news, I googled "kindness and leadership," looking for some anonymous assurances, I suppose. I found this article and it sparked some optimism on this weird day.

"Compassionate leaders acknowledge our universal interconnectedness and use their influence to make a positive impact on others and the planet. These leaders are courageous, contemplative, collaborative and care about the world they will leave behind."  Good start, Laurel Donnelan. I'm in.

Donnelan goes on to describe twelve lessons from business leaders that reflect compassion. You really should read each profile; they will improve your mood. Here's the list of lessons:

1. If you are lucky enough to amass wealth, consider giving much of it away and do some good while you are still alive. (Chuck Feeney)
2. The decisions you make as a business leader can accelerate sustainability for people and the planet. (Eileen Fisher)
3. Organic farming is good for all of us and our planet. (Woody Tasch)
4. Leaders of the future will drive purpose and meaning at work. (Karlin Sloan)
5. Find your buzz. (John and Molly Chester)
6. The first step to compassion is self-compassion. (Uvinie Lubecki)
7. Compassion is a strategic advantage. (Scott Shute)
8. Teach compassion to future leaders by creating meaningful experiences that foster empathy. (David Corsun and Cheri Young)
9. Make work fun. (Alix Kram)
10. Losing everything can help you focus and make better business decisions. (Kathleen King)
11. Compassion is the heart's response to suffering. (Kristina Workman)
12. Try to be of benefit to others and everything else will fall into place. (Larry Carlson)

It's easy to get discouraged and shut it all off, and I think we do need to shut off the television and social media sometimes. But it's critically important to engage and show up and work to amplify the things that make us better people. I don't think it's Pollyanna to look for the good when there's a lot of bad. In fact, I think it's most people's natural instinct to want to help others and lift each other up. 

Print by Rachel Brown

And a few random fun things:

Get up to speed on some wild beauty trends for 2020. And here's why everyone is obsessed with nails by Mei Kawajiri.

Seems like a good time for a reminder about French style rules.

Unzipped Glass Zipper Bag