The importance of forgiveness in a Transformational Leader
Throughout our lives, forgiveness is the act of letting go of anger, resentment, and bitterness toward someone who has wronged you. It's not about tolerating the other person's actions, but choosing to release your negative emotions so you can move forward with your life.
The first thing to know is that forgiveness is not an emotion, it is a decision that has associated emotions such as rage and anger.
We all make mistakes. And each error can be located on a severity scale. The same thing happens in organizations, from responding badly to a colleague, having forgotten or not having done something, appropriating an idea, exposing someone, etc. There are thousands of daily organizational situations that require forgiveness.
Forgiveness is an important quality for any leader, but it is especially important for transformational leaders. These are those who inspire and motivate others to achieve great things, create a positive and productive work environment where people feel safe to take risks and be creative.
Transformational leaders who are clear about the term of forgiveness help create a sense of trust and respect among team members. When people feel forgiven, they are more likely to be open and honest with each other. This creates a more collaborative and productive environment where everyone feels they can contribute the best they can. Forgiveness also helps reduce stress and anxiety. When we hold on to anger and resentment, it can affect our physical and emotional health. Forgiveness can help us free ourselves from these negative emotions so we can live a healthier, happier life.
My personal experience with Forgiveness
I have had my own experiences with forgiveness as both a leader and a follower. As a leader, I have had to forgive team members who made mistakes, and I have also had to forgive people who have hurt me personally.
However, forgiveness has not always been easy for me. There have been times when I have wanted to hold on to my anger and resentment but have learned that forgiveness is the best way to move on with my life.
I believe that the daily practice of meditation has helped me and continues to help me sharpen this quality of leadership, because it allows you to be more empathetic and aware of the concerns and problems of others, you can listen better not only with the two ears we have but also with the heart and mind. This makes it easier to understand that any mistake is not necessarily made with bad intentions and that is why I would like to recommend this useful meditation practice to you.
A meditation practice for forgiveness
There are many different meditation practices that can help with forgiveness. Here is a simple practice you can try:
Find a quiet place where you won't be disturbed.
Sit in a comfortable position and close your eyes.
Take a few deep breaths and relax your body.
Remember and think about the person or situation you need to forgive.
Allow yourself to feel the anger, resentment, or sadness you have toward this person or situation.
Nonjudgmentally, notice these feelings without getting caught up in them.
When you're ready, say to yourself, "I forgive you." You can repeat this phrase as many times as you need, making it your mantra.
Continue to breathe deeply and relax your body.
When you're done, open your eyes and go back to your day.
This is just a simple meditation practice for forgiveness as there are many other practices you can try. The important thing is to find a practice that works for you and be patient with yourself. Forgiveness is a process and it takes time.
I hope this post has helped you understand the importance of forgiveness not only in your personal life but also in your work life as a transformational leader. Even and no less important, let us keep in mind that we can also be on the other side and have enough capacity to ask for forgiveness when necessary.
Have you ever been in a situation like this? You can share your experience, concerns or opinions in the comments. It will be a pleasure to read you.