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 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.”