Empathy is the capacity to resonate with another’s suffering. When we rush to fix, we bypass that resonance; when we remain stuck in it, we cannot move to compassion. Compassionate leaders engage this uniquely human capacity with discernment and boundaries, enabling wise, sustainable compassionate action.

Interpreting generously is the second step in the four-step process of compassion. When we notice suffering, we immediately begin making meaning. Compassionate leaders slow down, recognize shared humanity, and resist blame or distance, creating conditions for wiser, compassionate responses at work. (This is the second in our four-part series on The Elements of Compassion)

Compassion begins with noticing. In a time of rising pressure and fatigue, leaders can often turn away from difficulty or get overwhelmed by it. There is a third way: steady presence. By noticing early signals, creating psychological safety, and seeing clearly without rushing to fix, leaders reduce anxiety, prevent escalation, and lay the groundwork for wise, compassionate action. It is the first in our four-part series on compassion.

What does compassionate leadership look like in real life? Drawing on intention statements from hundreds of leaders across sectors around the world, this article reveals five practical ways people apply compassion every day – from self-compassion and courageous conversations to shaping teams, routines, and systems for lasting impact.

At every turn, it feels like we're at each other's throats. Headlines showcase another argument, another fight, another cycle of division. The temptation in these moments is to fight back – to defend our position with equal force, to escalate. But that only intensifies the violence. That only deepens the fractures. What we need instead is cooperation and collaboration.

These times challenge us at our core. What does it mean to be human? How do we create a world that supports the thriving of all people and the planet? What distinguishes how we weather the storm isn’t just our individual skill, adaptation, or resolve, but the strength of the communities we belong to.

We’re living through what some describe as a polycrisis: overlapping, compounding challenges of climate change, social inequality, political instability, global conflict, and rapid technological disruption. We’re stretched thin and often unsupported at work. Stress has become normalized, showing up in organizational culture, morale, and performance. And now, added to the mix: anxiety about A.I.

Compassion begins with awareness. Yet, awareness alone is not enough. To truly embody compassion, we must take the next step – connection, the bridge that transforms our awareness into meaningful action. It requires the belief that a person – whether a colleague, friend, or stranger – is worthy of our attention and care, what Monica Worline and Jane Dutton refer to as “interpreting generously.”

With computers in our pockets, colleagues at our doors, and shifting news cycles, information comes at us quickly. How much we can absorb, respond to, and act upon depends on our own awareness. Attention and awareness make up the first step to compassion – you can’t skip this step. You must first notice the challenges and suffering of another person or within a system before you can respond to it.

Compassionate leaders know that quality connections are the building blocks of stronger relationships, and strong relationships lead to greater creativity and flourishing at work. Building high-quality connections flows from a focus on three key elements: positive regard, vitality, and mutuality. Explore how you can deepen your connections.