Compassion,a virtue I appreciated more after this encounter.As a young manager then,driving sales,coaching & facilitating trainings,ensuring discipline is key.First, it is imperative I exhibit those disciplines so it doesn’t become a struggle guiding,correcting & leading others on those trajectories.
You will not get me smiling or being soft on some issues.Though I knew at an early age every situation presented is different hence approach to situations will differ.
With time,learning & practicing more empathy,I found better ways of dealing with individuals with peculiar challenges without necessarily being hard.The past 12 months has added a lot more learning.
To my story of being Compassionate…
About an hour & 20 minutes into one of my meetings once upon a time,a lady walks in.This is someone I noticed had been late few times.I know some people struggle to adjust to the new routine so I had reiterated to the Team the need to be on time & didn’t expect her in that day,the time she got in.
Usually,I will call you out & walk you out of meeting if you join late esp. when you happen to keep it a habit after we have had private conversations.No tattles.The keys to the meeting room at the time could not be found hence once door is shut, it can be opened.Best way was shut doors.
This day,I walked gently to the lady backseat asking challenge she has knowing she is expected to be in before time or max 15 mins after.
In her bid to tell me what the challenge was,I saw in her eyes tears she was trying to control.
As a mother,she needs to ensure her child gets care before she leaves.And so, though she gets to her toddler’s school by half past 6am, she has to wait until the teacher gets in before she can quickly rush.I nicely walked away saying to her we will talk after the class.
I was so Proud of myself for being Compassionate to this lady.It was obvious she was trying so hard yet battling many things.The pictorial me had an image of her face on my mind all week.I was Grateful I was discerning enough to be Kind to her.She ended up coming in on time after some weeks of resolving her challenge.
As a business built on structure with disciplines,for corporate & my personal principle,there is no excuse to support not being on time.While I understand situations can affect when one shows up sometimes, entertaining such does not build a Great Team.
However,I was glad I showed Compassion in this situation.It was a humbling experience.Knowing I did not add to her tears & worries brought some joy in my heart.Being elated over my kind gesture felt Great & was better than the feeling of Correcting or putting anyone right.
You cannot do Kindness too soon,for you will Never Know how soon it will be late. Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Beyond our pain,when we match Compassion with Purpose,we begin to Conquer the World.Be Compassionate yet Firm, Never Give Up on Life & Leadership!
Our Father Above, God is a Just God yet he is the Most Compassionate!
Ephesians 4:32 reads: “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” “But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.”
Choose Compassion Over Passion when Leading. It sure will Pay off. 🥰 Thank you for read, like & for sharing.
Remember to Never Give Up!!
Nov. 2021 ***adjwoa adubia amponsah***
