Refreshing Leadership

S2.17: 'Humankind' for Refreshing Leaders: Tempering Empathy and Training Compassion

January 12, 2024 Kate Brassington Season 2 Episode 17
S2.17: 'Humankind' for Refreshing Leaders: Tempering Empathy and Training Compassion
Refreshing Leadership
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Refreshing Leadership
S2.17: 'Humankind' for Refreshing Leaders: Tempering Empathy and Training Compassion
Jan 12, 2024 Season 2 Episode 17
Kate Brassington

“Temper your empathy and train your compassion”

This is one of Rutger Bregmans top tips for resolving the bias and friction that persist in the modern Western world.

It falls to leaders of all kinds to make changes everywhere that are so badly needed for fairness, equity, and progress of humankind. 

I re-listened to Rutger's book, Humankind, over the midwinter break, and I was struck by how powerful and simple this message is.

Key Takeaways:

  • Distinguish empathy from compassion: Empathy involves feeling the pain with someone, while compassion entails feeling for someone, leading to constructive action, thoughts, and problem-solving.
  • Harness the power of compassion through meditation: Simple meditation techniques, such as lovingkindness meditations, can train the mind for compassion. Seek resources on platforms like Insight Timer, Headspace, and YouTube.
  • Embrace compassion in leadership: Leaders, including solo entrepreneurs, can benefit from cultivating compassion, fostering a controlled, constructive, and energized approach to helping.
  • How compassion can transform our approach to leadership and our overall well-being.

I loved it so much I  bring it to life for you here with examples from the research and practical tips for you to use right away.

05:47 Civilization hangs by thin threads, but kindness persists.

08:52 Human evolution leads to natural empathetic tendencies.

13:39 Compassion drives action, thoughts, and problem-solving.

16:07 Train your mind with compassion through meditation.

20:05 Supporting leaders and teams for mental health.

For more from Rutger Bregman go to his website here.

To read my blog on why I picked this topic for this episode, and why this is relevant for Refreshing Leaders, click here

If you enjoyed this or found it useful please subscribe on the show website, https://refreshingleadership.buzzsprout.com/
You can listen on most platforms, or scroll through all the episodes on my website here.
I write a companion blog to each episode - they are all on my website here.

Do please share this link, and if you'd like, give it a rating or leave a review (wherever you listen) will help the podcast reach more people.

Thank you!

To continue the conversation go to:
Website: https://katebrassington.com/ (where you can easily message me)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-brassington/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/katebrassingto3
Email: kate@katebrassington.com

Show Notes

“Temper your empathy and train your compassion”

This is one of Rutger Bregmans top tips for resolving the bias and friction that persist in the modern Western world.

It falls to leaders of all kinds to make changes everywhere that are so badly needed for fairness, equity, and progress of humankind. 

I re-listened to Rutger's book, Humankind, over the midwinter break, and I was struck by how powerful and simple this message is.

Key Takeaways:

  • Distinguish empathy from compassion: Empathy involves feeling the pain with someone, while compassion entails feeling for someone, leading to constructive action, thoughts, and problem-solving.
  • Harness the power of compassion through meditation: Simple meditation techniques, such as lovingkindness meditations, can train the mind for compassion. Seek resources on platforms like Insight Timer, Headspace, and YouTube.
  • Embrace compassion in leadership: Leaders, including solo entrepreneurs, can benefit from cultivating compassion, fostering a controlled, constructive, and energized approach to helping.
  • How compassion can transform our approach to leadership and our overall well-being.

I loved it so much I  bring it to life for you here with examples from the research and practical tips for you to use right away.

05:47 Civilization hangs by thin threads, but kindness persists.

08:52 Human evolution leads to natural empathetic tendencies.

13:39 Compassion drives action, thoughts, and problem-solving.

16:07 Train your mind with compassion through meditation.

20:05 Supporting leaders and teams for mental health.

For more from Rutger Bregman go to his website here.

To read my blog on why I picked this topic for this episode, and why this is relevant for Refreshing Leaders, click here

If you enjoyed this or found it useful please subscribe on the show website, https://refreshingleadership.buzzsprout.com/
You can listen on most platforms, or scroll through all the episodes on my website here.
I write a companion blog to each episode - they are all on my website here.

Do please share this link, and if you'd like, give it a rating or leave a review (wherever you listen) will help the podcast reach more people.

Thank you!

To continue the conversation go to:
Website: https://katebrassington.com/ (where you can easily message me)
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kate-brassington/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/katebrassingto3
Email: kate@katebrassington.com