This time of year invites reflection, planning, and setting intentions for the year to come. Compassionate leaders know there is space between where we are and what we wish to have happen. In those gaps exist objectives, goals, and strategies. In the same space is also room for compassion for ourselves and others. What could next year look like through the lens of curiosity for your leadership?

Compassion for the greater good is the outer circle of the Center for Compassionate Leadership’s model. Without an anchoring in our interconnectedness with everyone and everything, self-compassion and compassion for others can quickly devolve into narcissism or manipulation.

The middle circle of the Center for Compassionate Leadership’s Model is where the rubber meets the road. While the inner circle – self-compassion – and the outer circle – compassion for the greater good – both provide a foundation for acting compassionately in the world, compassion for others is where we interact and live in the world.

At the heart of our Compassionate Leadership model is the innermost circle representing self-compassion. Compassionate Leadership as developed in our model is built from the inside out. It is critical to stand in a position of authentic grounding in our truest self. Before we can effectively lead others, we must be an effective leader of our own life.