Compassionate Leadership: How to Do Hard Things in a Human Way

A global pandemic, Depression-level unemployment, civil and political unrest. From New York to Barcelona to Hong Kong, it feels as if the world as we know it is faltering. Economies are unwinding; jobs are disappearing. Through it all, our spirit is being tested. Now more than ever, it's imperative for leaders to demonstrate compassion.

Compassion is the quality of having positive intentions and real concern for others. Compassion in leadership creates stronger connections between people. It improves collaboration, raises levels of trust, and enhances loyalty. In addition, studies find that compassionate leaders are perceived as stronger and more competent.

But, as founder and Managing Director of Potential Project Rasmus Hougaard and his longtime coauthor Jacqueline Carter show in this powerful, practical book, most leaders and experts overlook a key aspect of compassionate leadership: compassion on its own is not enough. You must always balance caring for your people with leadership wisdom: effectiveness in getting things done. These two elements—wisdom and compassion—are forever in tension with each other, and every leader has experienced times when they erred too much on one side or the other, with costly consequences.

Being an effective leader often requires giving tough feedback, making hard decisions that disappoint people, and, in some cases, laying people off. Showing compassion in leadership can't come at the expense of wisdom and effectiveness. You need both, and this book shows you how to strike the right balance.

With rich stories and examples based on data from fifteen thousand leaders in more than five thousand companies spanning nearly one hundred countries, as well as practical tools, assessments, and advice for leaders and managers at any level, Compassionate Leadership is your indispensable guide to doing the hard work of leadership in a human way.