Compassionate leadership. Talk with Monk Geshe Tashi at Kopan Monastery
As I reflect on my recent spiritual journey, I had the privilege of meeting the remarkable Buddhist Monk Geshe Tashi during my visit to Kopan Monastery in Kathmandu. Geshe Tashi embodies compassion and wisdom, and our discussions centered around the essence of leadership and the view of the Buddhism on it, in this case I want to share some of thoughts related to what a Compassionate Leader is and how it should be actually from our talk together.
The compassionate leader
A compassionate leader, as the name suggests, prioritizes empathy and understanding. They remain grounded in the realities of the world while fulfilling their organizational responsibilities. Here are the key attributes of a compassionate leader:
Empathy: Compassionate leaders rule with empathy. They understand others’ feelings and perspectives without judgment, valuing the experiences of their team members.
Active listening: These leaders excel in active listening. They take the time to genuinely hear and understand the needs and concerns of their team.
Respect: Treating team members with respect and valuing their opinions is crucial. Compassionate leaders create an environment where everyone feels heard and appreciated.
Supportiveness: They offer unwavering support, providing guidance and encouragement whenever needed. Their focus is on collective growth.
Non-Judgmental: They accept team members without criticism or bias, fostering an inclusive work environment.
Humility and Open-Mindedness: Compassionate leaders are humble, willing to learn from mistakes. They approach situations with an open mind, considering diverse perspectives.
Kindness: Compassionate leaders demonstrate kindness in their interactions. They show consideration to everyone on their team.
Self-Awareness: Recognizing their own emotions and their impact on others, they respond calmly and compassionately to situations.
Personal anecdote
During my conversation with Geshe Tashi, he shared a profound insight: “Compassion is not just a soft skill; it’s the backbone of effective leadership.” He emphasized that true leadership lies in understanding the interconnectedness of all beings and acting from a place of genuine care.
He also told me that Compassion for all follows people unconditionally and without attachment, without self-interest and without benefiting oneself. This is the meaning of genuine compassion and pure compassion. If you have this compassion, then that person can be the best leader of the nation and the world. All the problems of the world and of countries and families arise from the lack of compassion. If you all talk more about compassion and put compassion into practice in our daily lives, then we will have the opportunity to make the world a better place and a more peaceful one.
His words resonated deeply, reminding me that compassion isn’t a weakness—it’s a strength that transforms organizations and lives, and that is possible to lead people, and organization or a society by being mindfull of other feelings and emotions due the fact that we are understanding the interdependence in deep that co existwith us.
At work only, by embodying these characteristics, compassionate leaders create a positive workplace where team members feel valued and respected. This, in turn, leads to increased employee engagement, productivity, and retention.
Grateful to have lived such an enriching experience, thank you Monk Geshe Tashi for your cordiality and wisdom and to the Kopan Monastery for having received us with so much love and compassion.
It would be a pleasure to read you in the comments about your own reflections on this topic. What role do you think compassion and empathy play in the leadership role? What other aspects do you consider key to the development of this role? I read you and until next time!
