Last week I wrote a blog post titled “Is it too late to teach kindness”. One day later, an article landed on my desk about the recent visit by the Dalai Lama at my alma mater Santa Clara University. He was at SCU to discuss “Business, Ethics, and Compassion: A Public Dialogue.” Click HERE to view the video and transcript.
According to the Dalai Lama, of the 7 billion people on this planet, everyone aspires to be happy. And the key to happiness is compassion.
That’s all well and good, but what role does compassion play in the workplace? How do we prioritize compassion with everything else that must be done? Can a company be profitable and compassionate at the same time?
Here are some key takeaways from the discussion:
- We have an epidemic of stress, anxiety and depression in the workplace, and these are the biggest causes of healthcare issues among employees.
- Workers are not easily replaceable commodities.
- When people work in a compassionate environment, they function at their best and are at their most creative.
- Being compassionate increases our health, well-being and longevity.
- Compassion must be taught from kindergarten through university.
- We need compassion in order to be a truly happy people.
- Within each one of us, we hold the potential for limitless compassion, kindness and love.If compassion is so good for us, how do we incorporate it into the workplace?
Strategies that Turn it Around:
Three core lessons for business owners from the Dalai Lama—as summarized from an article from Santa Clara University Magazine: https://www.scu.edu/scm/webonly.cfm?b=439&c=19203
- “Genuine compassion toward your employees, customers, communities, and business partners pays off.” Most people have heard this and can generally agree that when you truly care about your employees and others, people will naturally and instinctively enjoy doing business with your company.
- “You can’t fake compassion – and it cannot be just another strategy to increase earnings.” We’ve all dealt with someone who gives us a fake smile or a robotic “Hello. How may I help you?” This will not work for the long term. True caring must start at the top and must be foremost in the minds in everything leaders and employees say and do, and in every product that is created and delivered.
- “You have to make a deliberate effort to cultivate compassion in yourself.” Once cultivated in you, this effort of cultivation must be taught to managers and employees.
In next week’s blog, I’ll showcase a healthcare company that demonstrates these priceless principles.
Remember: The key to happiness is compassion – which must start with us.
What do YOU think about bringing compassion back to the workplace? Please share in the comments section below.