Empathy and sympathy often get used interchangeably, but what is the difference between the two? Expert in Compassionate Leadership Magalie René says that empathy and compassion are foundational concepts in leadership and creating a vision for the future. Learn the difference and use these tips to become a more compassionate and better leader, ally, and person.
It's Not My Business, It's My Calling
What does it mean to have a purpose? It's feeling compelled to give of yourself and your talents to serve others. Many are called but few are chosen. Even fewer choose to answer the call.
That's because it's not easy. If it were easy, everyone would do it. Everyone would risk their reputation, their comfortable full night's sleep, their comfortable sofas, their binge-watching and comfortable relationships, their comfortable paychecks... all for the unknown. Now replace comfortable with mediocre because, for those of you who are called, who have a meaningful message to share, a life lived denying yourself the opportunity to share that message is simply that - mediocre. It's a life that while perfectly adequate and acceptable will never quite feel complete.
How Do You Know You Have a Calling?
For me, mediocre was public relations, being successful meant finding an outlet for my creativity. And later, for my connection to spirituality a way to turn my connection to color, beauty, appreciation for aesthetically pleasing elements that lift the energy in a space and in a human being, into a sustainable livelihood.
That eventually took the shape of Workplace Catalyst and creating my own company to help businesses delve into Compassionate Leadership, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and anti-racism.
13 Ways To Share Your Message So It's Received by The Exact Audience You Want
Know who they are? Be clear but not attached. Be ready and open to expansion.
Know where they go and what they enjoy doing. What's an "undercover" access point?
Be clear on the vision
Bring your friends along - don't be afraid to pitch them.
Put your big-girl pants on
Be aligned with the modality you choose to use.
Start in one place. Be where you are. You'll avoid overwhelm. Love where you are. Energy goes where you want to see your brand.
Become a professional sharer.
Share Your Truth. The good, the bad and the ugly. A new day when authenticity
Go deep, go big, if the information is glossed over and superficial - people will feel that
Don't horde your message! Brand Ambassadors - invite them to your party, invite them to carry the message for you. They care about your work. Find the people who trust and value what you do. Blog posse. Let others tell the story with you. It's a collaborative effort of extending a message.
Is the message of Service to the world?
Find a power posse of women who you want to share your message and who want to share your message.
How to be a Compassionate Leader and an Anti-Racist
Last Thursday, July 9th, I answered your questions and shared my perspective as a Compassionate Leadership expert on what it means to lead effectively and compassionately AND be an antiracist in the workplace in the current climate.
Enjoy the replay of my Strive conversations... “Compassionate Leadership in the Age of Anti-racism.”
FACE YOUR FEAR & FIND YOUR SHINE
A Little About Me...
Hi there!! I’ve noticed an uptick in readership and want to welcome you all with a little about me:
I’m an expert in compassionate, conscious leadership.
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I’m a corporate facilitator, speaker, author, and coach.
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I’m an avid meditator 🧘🏾♀️ and a believer in the power of prayer.
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I believe in oneness and see race as a social construct, which is the precise reason I 1000% support the Black Lives Matter movement.
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If you’re new here know that I mainly share messages on compassionate leadership, mindset mastery, spirituality, and conquering fear to find your shine.
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Know also, that in this profound and revolutionary moment in history I’m on a mission educate and empower by sharing content that inspires conscious communication and ACTION to eradicate interpersonal, institutional and systemic racism.
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Lastly, I LOVE EMOJIS, can you tell?
I’m so grateful you’re here. I’m here for you. Let’s create a loving world together.
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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Done Differently
"Thank you for doing this, the energy was spot on, and I have a lot of gratitude. Thank you for creating this space.” - CEO
“Great session, creating space to share an understanding of others is what we thrive on.” - Co-Founder
“This program showed me how much of a badass team we are! Thank you for creating this space because this is the time that folks get to unite over really important subjects.” - CTO
"It was very inclusive and went beyond my expectations and even beyond the social issue. This can elevate the conversation about Black Lives Matter.” - CFO
DE&I workshops won't change your company culture.
What I do differently...
I've spent the last few months delivering workshops, developing curriculum and frameworks, and creating open forums on Black Lives Matter for HR professionals, C-suite executives, managers, and employees committed to anti-racism and equality.
In order for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion work to go beyond the performative to truly change an organization's corporate culture we must address what's been missing (and what organizations have been avoiding):
1. A deeper understanding of how identity, power, and history inform our individual world views.
2. The universal ways of being, beginning with themes like Compassion, that inform our values and determine our actions. I believe this is the foundation upon which any sustainably diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace must be built.
Organizations don't change, people do.
My work as a Compassionate Leadership expert combines DE&I education with empathy and emotional intelligence and I'm blown away by the feedback we've received so far! I'm excited to continue supporting the people-centric organizations that are truly committed to investing in sustainable, long-term change.
If this resonated with you, feel free to share it with others. Let's make sure Black Lives Matter is a movement, not a moment!
"Thank you for showing us that we all deeply care." - Staff Attendee
"What I've learned is the big difference of asking questions with the intention of understanding." - Staff Attendee
Ways of Being Article Feature
Last week, I wrote about how now is a time to speak up and step up. I also believe this is a time to listen more than talk, and to diversify the voices we are listening to so we can broaden our understanding of the world and the issues others are facing at this pivotal moment in history.
In that spirit, I offer you five voices whose messages about life, death, leadership, racial justice, and being an ally/accomplice I listen to. I know each of these individuals personally, and I have been the beneficiary of their insight. wisdom, and, in several cases, coaching. I am a better person and a better ally because of each of them. I strongly encourage you to follow them, subscribe to their newsletters/blogs, visit their websites, watch their videos, and listen to and learn from their voices.
Alua Arthur
Who is Alua? Alua is a death doula, lawyer, ordained minister, and adjunct professor. She is the founder of Going with Grace, an end of life planning and bereavement support organization. Alua is a powerhouse presenter and passionate advocate for coming to terms with our mortality so when the time comes we can die peacefully.
Why should you listen to Alua? In Alua's short video blogs she asks us to give "one minute of our life to think about the end of it." She confronts deep issues many of us have never considered, or actively ignore, around our mortality, and she does so with candor, compassion, and humor. If the thought of dying makes you uncomfortable, check Alua out. She just might shift your viewpoint.
Liza Smalling
Who is Liza? Liza (pronounced "Lisa" but spelled with a "z") is an experienced performance improvement and operations leader who recently turned her talents to coaching. She is that rare kind of leader who balances data and analytics focus with people focus. Through this Covid-19 pandemic, the world leaders touted for their management of the crisis like Angela Merkel, Jacinda Ardern, and Tsai Ing-wen, are all women who bring Liza's unique duality to their leadership.
Why should you listen to Liza? First, you should check out Liza's Soft Skills series of LinkedIn posts for valuable insight into what these critical skills are really about and how to develop them. I have been in the learning and development world for more than 20 years, and I still learn a lot about skills I thought I'd mastered when I read Liza's perspective. Second, you should check Liza out on Facebook (and try to friend her if you can!.) Her "Inside Job" posts about her experience as a black women in America are informative, thought provoking, and raw. If you want to broaden your world view, seriously check her out!
Magalie Rene
Who is Magalie? Magalie Rene is a Compassionate Leadership expert, business strategist, coach, bestselling author, and keynote speaker who focuses on helping people and organizations live their vision and values. Her mission is to help everyone "Find Your Shine," and Magalie role models what that looks like through her inspiring and compassionate communication and coaching. You can access her website here: https://magalierene.com/
Why should you listen to Magalie? Magalie is all about coaching people to consciously design their businesses, their lives, and even their physical space. Her blogs and newsletter are like getting a pep talk from your bestie who is both your biggest fan and actually knowledgeable about the issues you are facing. If you want some practical and actionable shine in your life, connect with Magalie.
Torrian Scott
Who is Torrian? Torrian is a coach, consultant, and author of "Running After Destiny." He was my executive coach when I was a FUSE Corp fellow, and helped me transform my relationship with myself as a leader during an incredibly challenging moment in my career. (This will be a topic of a future #WOBWednesday blog, so come back to learn more!)
Why should you listen to Torrian? Torrian is the founder of Masters in the Marketplace, which is a consulting and coaching company dedicated to adding value in leadership. Like me, Torrian believes that leadership is fundamentally about who you BE and not just what you DO. Follow him for his insights into how to cultivate leadership excellence within yourself.
And last but not least...
Willie L. Jackson, II
Who is Willie? Willie is a keynote speaker, consultant, facilitator and, as he puts it "professional black person." I met Willie when he gave the keynote at a diversity and inclusion summit I attended in December 2019. I was inspired by Willie's brutally honest and yet hilarious talk about going from being an ally to an accomplice in the fight for racial justice in the workplace. Willie is that rare speaker who can confront sensitive issues in a way that invites everyone into the conversation and the solution. His website is: https://williejackson.com/
Why should you listen to Willie? If you care about diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) you need to follow Willie! Watch his videos. Listen to him talk about leveling up as an ally. Take action on his recommendations. I have followed tips from his "Ally Skills Training," and it has helped me advance the DEI conversation in my organization. Thank you, Willie. (See his LinkedIn post here: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-does-ally-skills-training-work-willie-jackson/)
Speak Up 2 - This is a Movement, not a Moment Replay
"I'm afraid conversation around Black Lives Matter is going to die-down. How do I keep it going?" SO many people have been sharing this concern that a group of my friends in the world of facilitation and personal development and I created a forum to discuss it.
If you're worried about what might happen - or what might never change - if people lose interest in standing for racial justice, watch SPEAK UP 2: How to sustain your activism to make this a movement, not a moment.
Points of discussion:
How to keep yourself from burning out
How to stay focused on the vision (contribution vs distraction)
What action are you taking and how will you measure your results?
WATCH THE REPLAY OF OUR 1st CONVERSATION:
SPEAKING UP: An Emotionally Intelligent Conversation on Race
Self-Care is Your Responsibility Interview
The world is in a state of emergency. Between the corona virus and police brutality which has resulted in civil unrest nationwide; protecting our physical and mental health is of the utmost importance. In this interview I share tips on self care as a responsibility and techniques to cope with grief and anger:
Caring for ourselves is - and has always been - the most powerful form of resistance. Within the context of institutional racism self-love is an act of defiance. Not only will we survive, we choose to rise and thrive. As we grieve, as we march, as we stand for revolution, we must also rest, re-set, and restore so we can continue the work.
Please listen, SUBSCRIBE and share my interview with Angela Belt of 28 Black Tastemakers. Go to angelabelt.com/themoodboardpodcast to listen!
My talk with @28blacktastemakers for The Moodboard podcast happened post covid and pre #justiceforgeorgefloyd but its release today is divinely timed.
FACE YOUR FEAR & FIND YOUR SHINE
The Compassionate Future of Work
I recently facilitated the closing ritual for Day 1 of the Cooperative Impact Conference. This event served purpose-driven creators and impactful organizations adapting to the changing times.
I discussed takeaways and breakthroughs from a full day of workshops and presentations exploring community and led a heart-opening closing ritual to call forth abundance and fulfillment.
Learn more about Cooperative Impact here. Look out for the replay - I'll be sharing it soon!