Can We Have Too Much Compassion?

Can We Have Too Much Compassion?
January 21, 2021

First, From the Heart

Welcome to a new era of Compassionate Leadership on the world stage. President Joe Biden began his term with an agenda mindful of the profound suffering in the world, how we are all connected, and the wellbeing of our planet. On his first day, he signed 17 Executive Orders to start putting these plans in motion. We see that as compassion in action.

Some may call putting people before profits soft. Or not recognizing our interconnectedness as infringing on individual freedoms instead of focusing on the greater good. These complex issues are not good/bad, right/wrong, black/white. They require great wisdom to strike the right balance and boundaries. As we look toward a future with more compassionate leaders in all sectors, this week we shed light on the importance of courage, giving and receiving, and leading with true compassion. We welcome your voices and opinions on our community channels: Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

Best of the Blog

Can You Be Too Compassionate?

There is a perception among many that compassion is not a strategy of strength and that compassionate leaders are too soft or weak. There is a fear, even, of being too compassionate. Good intentions alone are not enough. A deeper understanding of compassion means that one who acts with true compassion never needs to fear being too compassionate. Read more.

Practice Matters

Boundaries

So often we feel it’s our role to give, and give, and give. Especially when there is so much need in the world for support, healing, and peace. We might think our part is to carry so much responsibility for bringing change to the forefront. For fixing what is broken and unjust. For building a new way for all people and the planet to move forward.

We can only give what we have. We may be exhausted or burnt out with a tank depleted long ago. Notice when you require deep rest, replenishment, and be open to receiving whatever it is that you need. Return yourself to equilibrium – when giving and receiving create a sustainable flow. Perhaps it’s time to discern when/how to limit your gifts, resources, and life force so you can show up as your compassionate whole self. Interesting that we think that we will change ourselves by changing the world. In fact, we change the world by changing ourselves.

When can we practice? Always!

Upcoming Events

8-Week Compassionate Leadership and Resilience Training for Global Health Leader
Next Cohort Begins January 27, 2021 - Only Two Spaces Left

The Center for Compassionate Leadership and the Task Force for Global Health’s Focus Area for Compassion and Ethics (FACE) have teamed up to offer a timely and unique online course for global health professionals. Our next cohort for Compassionate Leadership and Resilience Training for Global Health Leaders starts January 27, 2021. This first-of-its-kind training delivers evidence-based tools, techniques, and practices that support leaders, teams, and organizations to thrive in these most challenging times. We still have two spaces available to applicants for the next course. Find out more and apply now.

Research Worth Sharing

The Problem of Othering: Towards Inclusiveness and Belonging
by john a. powell and Stephen Menendian
in Othering and Belonging Journal, Issue 1, JUN 29, 20170

Can it feel too compassionate to respond to someone on the other side? john a. powell and Stephen Menendian show us the way from othering to belonging as our way forward. “(V)irtually every global, national, and regional conflict is wrapped within or organized around one or more dimension of group-based difference.” So begins the seminal article on othering, published before (and likely contributing to) Merriam-Webster’s November 2017 recognition of “other” as a verb. Read the research.

Leadership, Evolved.

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