How to Be More Compassionate and Relate Better to Others

According to Jen Christensen, a producer/editor with CNN’s Health, Medical & Wellness Unit, if you are looking for a way to be happier, are seeking deeper connections with friends or looking for more friends, or want to relate better to your co-workers, try a little compassion.

The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines compassion as the sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it.  “Compassion is not for the touchy-feely Oprah set alone,” says Christensen.  “The U.S. military and professional sports teams found real success with mindfulness and compassion training.  In fact, the baseball team that incorporated mindfulness practice into their routine last year, the Chicago Cubs, won the World Series.  The ‘lovable losers’ hadn’t won a World Series in 108 years.”

Deepak Chopra agrees, saying that as part of a compassionate lifestyle, a person:

– Let’s go of judgment
– Is more accepting of others
– Appreciates how other people feel
– Tries to help in difficult situations
– Acts as a sympathetic listener
– Renounces anger and aggression
– Works to maintain a harmonious, peaceful atmosphere at home and at work.

BE AWESOME!  In an effort to be a better leader, take some tips from Jinny Ditzler, creator of the Best Year Yet system and one of the founders of the modern coaching movement, about how to be more compassionate: Have compassion for yourself, reach out to others with genuine concern, listen fully, and speak from your heart. Not only will you be happier, but your connections with others will deepen and you’ll be able to relate better to your co-workers.  You’ve got this, leader.

Jill Christensen is an employee engagement expert, best-selling author, and international keynote speaker. She was recently named a Top 100 Global Employee Engagement Influencer, authored the best-selling book, If Not You, Who? Cracking the Code of Employee Disengagement, and works with the best and brightest global leaders to improve productivity and retention, customer satisfaction, and revenue growth.  Jill can be reached at +1.303.999.9224 or jill@jillchristensenintl.com.