In the book Pause – 52 Ways to Shift Any Outcome in Less Than a Minute: Practical Mindfulness for Leaders, the authors state, “Part of being a leader is caring about both the work and the people who are doing the work. Caring about people is about who they are, not just as roles in the workplace or even roles in their personal lives, but as fellow human beings.”
So, how can a leader show caring to others in the workplace?
- Be sincere with your comments and concern.
- Pick one person every day and take a few minutes of quiet time wishing them well. Notice any change it produces in you.
- Walk around and choose someone to sit down with for a few minutes and just ask, “How are things going?” “Tell me about something good happening in your life.” Just listen and affirm what they say. Thank them for their work and sharing the time together.
- Express appreciation in person for what people do.
- When you see someone struggling with their work, sit down with them and be present to their struggle. Make an observation, “I see that you might be struggling with work. Tell me about your struggle and we work together to find a solution.”
As a leader, give yourself time to increase your ability to care for those who work with you. Here is a question I leave for you from this book: “How am I developing my capacity to care for people?”