In today’s business world, it seems to get more polarized and divisive each year. It is a lack of communication that creates this divide and often prevents companies to play at higher level, the sustainable way.
Empathy is powerful and can have profound effects how an organization or small business can elevate their business to the next level. It involves people first but always starts with you. Empathy is the capacity to understand or feel what another person is experiencing from within their frame of reference, that is, the capacity to place oneself in another’s position. Empathy brings people together to do great things. It does not mean everyone has the same values and beliefs but can relate to one another to find common ground to do bigger things together as one. Let’s look at some habits that transparent leaders practice every day to create shifts not only for themselves but empowering the people around them.
- Meditation
Quiet, purposeful mediations done daily from within allow us to get to the root cause of our limited beliefs. It is hear we can observe ourselves from a third party perspective to see limited patterns that hold us back. It is here over time we can eradicate the root cause to these limited beliefs and offset the negative emotions associated with them. It creates calm energy that leads to clarity. With clarity, we become more decisive. As we become more decisive, we have the ability to take massive action.
- Journal
This habit goes hand in hand with mediation. It is the ability to write down what comes to mind following your daily mediation without overthinking or overanalyzing your thoughts. The two habits alone bring clarity to build a foundation from operating within the solution rather than managing the problem. One has the ability to be present more often and make sound decisions with action that lead to bigger leaps in their business.
- Read
Reading everyday even if just one chapter sets the mindset to be more focused and organized throughout the day. The key is to read content that is relevant to your growth personally and in business. In addition, it is good to mix it up with content that is fun and sparks the creative side of your mindset. Being laser focused and organized with priorities that matter is the difference operating your business the sustainable way or managing the problem each day.
- Listen
The ability to listen effectively is truly important. Most people listen to respond and not listen to understand. Learning how to relate to others upfront forges healthy and productive relationships. It builds trust and credibility with one another. Take time to learn how to relate to others to the best of your ability and listen to understand without thinking how to respond. You will always have your chance to talk. It puts you in a better position to connect and to do even greater things together whether if it is with a client or someone you work with in your business.
- Forgive
Nelson Mandela said, “We must strive to be moved by a generosity of spirit that will enable us to outgrow the hatred and conflicts of the past”. Conflict or disagreement to each other’s values and beliefs leads to nowhere good fast. It never leads to sustainable success in any situation including business. Coming from empathy and learning how to forgive creates peace from within and in time allows people to come together and do even greater things that serve others. A business foundation built on empathy and forgiveness is a good recipe for sustainable growth.
- Active
Transparent leaders know energy is required to bring these habits together to create empathy at highest levels. Taking care of ourselves personally creates an example for others around you to do for themselves. The key here is consistency as well. Being active or exercising 4 to five times a week coupled with eating right aligns well with these other habits to build a sustainable foundation. Take time to create a personal plan for yourself. Empower others around you to do for them. Healthier people have higher self- confidence to embrace empathy and take their businesses to new levels.
Let empathy be your new direction as a business leader. Look at these habits and being to incorporate them into practice at your pace. They key thing again is consistency which leads to a sustainable process to achieve your desired objectives in business.
To your health & prosperity,
Christopher Salem
