When HappyHr sat down with Equal Opportunity Compliance Director Charlene Buckley to learn how she has built an environment of care and collaboration, she offered some tips that any leader at ACC can adopt:
Why Compassion is Critical:
Compassion in leadership not only benefits individual employees, but also contributes to the overall success and health of the team and broader organization, including:
- Builds trust and fosters loyalty among team members and creates a more cohesive and committed team
- Enhances morale: Demonstrating understanding and care for employee’s well-being supports positive morale and job satisfaction
- Reduces stress: provide support and understanding during challenges
- Promotes a positive culture: Sets a tone for a supportive work environment and can lead to higher productivity and creativity
- Improves Communication: Active listening and effective communication can lead to better collaboration and problem solving
How to Show Compassion at Work:
Compassionate leaders not only benefit their individual employees, but also contribute to the overall success and health of the organization, in our case, serving our students. Furthermore, each one of us can demonstrate these characteristics to uphold a collaborative and supportive work environment in which we all feel empowered to demonstrate professional excellence in supporting our ACC community:
- Be Present: Pay attention to colleagues, demonstrate understanding of their feelings and point of view
- Offer Support: Help out and offer assistance
- Show Respect: Time, opinions, and boundaries
- Express Gratitude: Recognize time, effort, and achievements
- Provide and Receive Constructive Feedback: In a way that is supportive in helping each other grow
- Be Understanding: Show empathy toward others’ personal situations and offer flexibility when you can
Compassionate leaders not only benefit their individual employees, but also contribute to the overall success and health of the organization, in our case, serving our students. My philosophy is consistent and, I think, timely: We are all in this together and there is a place for everyone to contribute and make a positive difference every day.
Charlene Buckley, Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance
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