Compassionate accountability : how leaders build connection and get results

Leaders don't have to choose between relationships and results! Sadly, compassion and accountability are too often in tension —leaders feel they have to pick one or the other. But solely prioritizing accountability can create toxic work environments that drive away good talent. On the other end of the spectrum, being too nice can compromise performance and productivity. Finding harmony between compassion and accountability is the ultimate catalyst for improved results and a thriving workplace. The solution is recognizing that compassion and accountability are not opposites. In fact, accountability is an element of compassion. Compassionate Accountability is the process of building connection while getting results. This book shows how this foundational mindset, philosophy, and way of living can lead to a thriving organizational culture. It covers such topics as: Why you can't practice compassion without accountability. How to turn on the three "switches" of the Compassion Mindset—and the predictable damaging consequences when they're turned off. The key role Compassionate Accountability plays in a healthy leadership culture. Six areas to focus on to start building your culture of Compassionate Accountability Five common barriers to compassion for leaders—and how to overcome them Plus, real case examples of how organizations have adopted Compassionate Accountability, along with quizzes and self-assessments to help readers learn and apply the concepts. Leaders seeking a renewed sense of fulfillment in their roles and increased leadership impact will find inspiration, guidance, and a roadmap for cultural transformation. This book is a compass for leaders lost in the paradoxical space between being showing people compassion and holding them accountable. Compassion and accountability have generally been considered at odds with each other in the management space. Solely prioritizing accountability can create toxic work environments that result in the loss of top talent. On the other end of the pendulum, being overly compassionate leaves a vacuum around attention to results. The solution is Compassionate Accountability, recognizing that these two concepts are actually in a duet, not a competition.This bookis the timely answer to how this foundational set of principles and practices can lead to a thriving organizational culture. It covers such topics The evolution of compassion in the workplace Why compassion and accountability are complementary How to engage the compassion mindset Building a culture of compassionate accountability Overcoming barriers to compassionfor leaders Finding harmony between compassion and accountability leads to improved results and a thriving culture because the fact is, true compassion cant exist without accountability. Leaders seeking a renewed sense of fulfillment in their roles and increased leadership impact will find inspiration, guidance, and a roadmap for cultural transformation. Cover 1 Half Title 2 Title 4 Copyright 5 Dedication 6 Contents 8 Foreword 10 Introduction 12 Part I. The Big Idea: Compassionate Accountability 18 1. The Evolution of Compassion 20 2. Compassion and Accountability Are Complementary 34 Part II. The Model: The Compassion Mindset 52 3. What Is the Compassion Mindset? 54 4. The Value Switch 66 5. The Capability Switch 94 6. The Responsibility Switch 110 Part III. Implementation: Build Your Culture of Compassionate Accountability 138 7. How to Build Your Culture of Compassionate Accountability 140 8. Case Studies 154 Part IV. Overcoming Barriers to Compassion 170 9. Compassion Is Just for Bleeding Hearts 172 10. Compassion Creates Dependence 182 11. Compassion Is Soft 196 12. Compassion Is Selfless 208 13. Compassion Can’t Be Learned 216 Appendix: The Compassionate Accountability Assessment 226 Notes 234 Index 244 A 244 B 244 C 244 D 246 E 246 F 247 G 247 H 247 I 247 J 247 K 247 L 248 M 248 N 248 O 248 P 248 R 248 S 249 T 249 U 249 V 249 W 250 Y 250 About the Author 252 About Next Element 254 "This book is a compass for leaders lost in the paradoxical space between being compassionate and holding people accountable. Compassion and accountability have generally been considered at odds with each other in the management space. Solely prioritizing accountability can create toxic work environments that result in the loss of top talent. On the other end of the pendulum, being overly compassionate leaves a vacuum around attention to results. Compassionate Accountability reveals the truth behind, and provides an actionable framework for, six common myths surrounding compassion: Compassion is empathy in action; Compassion is about alleviating suffering; Compassion is soft; Compassion is for selfless servant leaders; Some people just have it; Compassion and accountability are opposites. Finding harmony between compassion and accountability leads to improved results and a thriving culture because the fact is, true compassion can't exist without accountability"-- Provided by publisher