Learning about consequences, community, creativity and courage: Cultivating compassion in higher education leadership

Abstract

Many believe that compassionate leadership is for the foolish and the weak. This chapter illustrates how compassion can lead to empowered choices that foster awareness of consequences, cultivation of creativity in the workplace and courage for enacting change. Such choices are associated with optimized workplace well-being and performance. Testimonials from higher education leaders who practice compassion in their workplace will be shared. In addition, the neuroscience that undergirds these practices will be highlighted along with ways that compassion training might be cultivated and measured in the workplace. The findings shared in this chapter illustrate that compassionate leadership is not associated with perceptions of weak leaders or disrespectful environments. Challenges to practicing compassion in higher education will be highlighted.