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Top Compassionate Leadership Books of 2022
December 16, 2022
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First, From the Heart
We welcome the turn of the New Year with curiosity and wonder. Often we rush toward the promise of new beginnings, intentions, and opportunities, especially after twelve long months of challenge and uncertainty. In the anticipation of what can be different or better, how might we stay present to all that is worthy of our attention and gratitude right now.
As we take a year-end pause, what can we honor and appreciate? What have we learned? What can be released? Where have we grown? What has surprised and delighted us? What has surprised and devastated us?
My beloved brother died unexpectedly this year. Being with the shock and deep grief has illuminated so much for me. At times I did not know how I would endure or find joy in the precious life I still have the privilege to live. It’s brought me closer to my understanding and expression of compassion for myself and for others. It has focused my intention for deeper connection and contribution. And it’s expanded my capacity to be with the suffering while simultaneously widening my circle of care and love.
May this turn of the year – the holidays, the rituals, the celebrations, and the challenges – remind us of our interconnectedness. That we are not separate. We share our heartbreaks, joy, generosity, and love. We remember our infinite potential for good when we come together with open arms, hearts, and minds.
Bowing and giving thanks to each of you for all you are doing, building, and being in the world. Your impact is immeasurable.
Peace for all,
Laura
Photo by 🇸🇮 Janko Ferlič - @specialdaddy on Unsplash.
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Best of the Blog
Top Compassionate Leadership Books of 2022
Given the existential threats we face, this year’s selections embody relevant compassionate leadership themes: start from a grounded place, be aware of what truly is, see the whole picture to change the system, embrace systemic complexities and paradox, and be courageous in action. We hope the wisdom in these books will contribute meaningfully to your compassionate leadership journey. Read more.
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Research Worth Sharing
Epidemiology of compassion: A literature review
by David G. Addiss, Amy Richards, Sedem Adiabu, Emma Horwath, Sophie Leruth, Ashley L. Graham, and Heather Buesseler
in Frontiers in Psychology, 17 November 2022 Sec. Theoretical and Philosophical Psychology
Where do we find compassion? Understanding better where, when, and how compassion arises will help us promote and realize a more compassionate world. This is precisely the work epidemiologists engage in – determining the factors that support or inhibit the presence of diseases and disorders. What if, instead of applying epidemiologic skills to disease and disorder, we applied them to determining what promotes or inhibits compassion.
This is exactly what Center for Compassionate Leadership faculty member David Addiss, Emma Horwath, Sophie Leruth, and Compassionate Leadership for Global Health Certification alumnae Amy Richards, Sedem Adiabu, Ashley L. Graham, and Heather Buesseler have set out to accomplish in “Epidemiology of compassion: A literature review,” published in Frontiers in Psychology.
This review significantly advances the literature around compassion and offers greater clarity for how to proceed in order to expand the compassion in the world. They found eighty-two studies that met their criteria – use quantitative methods, treat compassion as an outcome, and include empathy and action as part of the measures of compassion. Eighty-nine potential “risk factors for compassion” were tested, and the study finds significant associations with many. Read the research.
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Upcoming Program
Compassionate Leadership Certification Program
Next Cohorts Begin February, 2023 – Accepting Applications Now
Compassionate leadership isn’t a new concept. You may already be a compassionate leader. Your organization may already be putting the principles of compassionate leadership into practice. In fact, many of our Compassionate Leadership Certification Program alumni were already compassionate leaders before they ever took one of our programs. 90% of those alumni interviewed said that they would recommend the course to their friends and colleagues. 70% said that they had seen changes in their companies.*
Our 8-week training program will build your compassion from the inside out and connect you with a powerful global peer community for ongoing growth, inspiration, and support. We offer two 8-week certification programs, one for Global Health professionals and one for leaders in any discipline. There is one 90-minute session per week and one 1-hour long optional weekly discussion session for each cohort. Our Compassionate Leadership in Global Health Certification runs on Tuesdays beginning 2/14/23, and our Compassionate Leadership Certification Program runs on Wednesdays beginning 2/15/23. Find out more and apply.
*Independent research conducted by educational evaluators at Claremont Graduate University, July 2022.
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Upcoming Event
Three Years of Global Health Compassion Rounds in Synthesis: Connecting the Dots & Charting a Way Forward
The Task Force for Global Health Focus Area for Compassion & Ethics (FACE)
Tuesday, December 20, 2022, 11:00AM - 12:30PM EST
Over the past 3 years, the Task Force for Global Health Focus Area for Compassion & Ethics (FACE) Global Health Compassion Rounds has brought together public health professionals from around the world to explore the overlap between their work, their lives, and compassion. We have convened on a quarterly basis and covered a range of topics – COVID-19, quality care, faith, leadership, WASH, NTDs, maternal and newborn care, palliative care, storytelling, and measurement – to learn beside one another and ignite momentum for system-wide transformation.
This GHCR we will be reflecting upon what has been shared, highlighting cross-cutting themes, and creating directions we hope to expand upon in the future through designing GHCR 2.0 in 2023. We intend for this path to be co-constructed, as registrants have the opportunity to review our synthesis of the past 3 years, hear reflections from past attendees and leaders, and to voice your own curiosities and findings. Discussion topics include:
- Compassionate Leadership
- Quality Healthcare
- Sharing Stories of Compassion in Action
- Translating Science into Action
Panelists include Global Health Leadership Certification Program Alumnus Dr. Sharmin Zahan and Center for Compassionate Leadership Advisory Board Member Liz Grant. Register here.
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Practice Matters
The Only Way Is Through
Wouldn’t it be nice to positive think our way around what is broken, challenging, painful, and unjust? Some would advise that we rewrite the story of what has or is happening in a way that simply makes us all feel better.
Unfortunately, this just delays the inevitable. The pain will return, the chasm will grow larger, the suffering will multiply. And yet, we avoid being realistic about what is right in front of us. Sure – its messy, ugly, harmful, and sad. Does that mean I can’t or won’t face reality?
We must show up for what is! Exactly as it is. Acknowledge it. Feel it. Once I start to open my heart to the depth of pain and suffering, I find my way through. I tap into the capacity to hold it, to be with it, and move toward healing with love. As new space emerges in my heart, I now realize I am growing into who I am becoming.
When can we practice? Always!
If you'd like to explore additional Practice Matters, you can find them here.
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Lead Better, Change Together.
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