Empathy vs Compassion

Which one is your favorite- empathy or compassion and what does the neuroscience of leadership say is the most important?

We had a “contest” going on facebook… which one is your favorite?

Empathy or Compassion?

We had such interesting responses and ideas of which one was the best or the most important and some believed they worked off each other.

I asked this question on FB as I am preparing an Emotional Intelligence Talk for AAN and I am diving deep into the EI books and manuscripts. I do love me some research!

(Please send your favorite resources on EI!!)

I have gone back to the OG EI books and my Amazon friend is delivering new books each day like it is Christmas!

I am now enjoying Primal Leadership by Goleman, Boyatsis and McKee. I highly recommend it.

They state, with research authority, that Leadership's fundamental task is to prime good feelings in those they lead. The state that this positive resonance of hopeful emotions then “frees the best in people”. They define Emotional Intelligence as “being intelligent about emotions” and “how leaders handle themselves and their relationships” and this matters so much for a leader's success. This concept that great leadership works through emotions is so interesting. Of course as a Brain doc I love the chapter the neuroanatomy of a successful leader. I am tired of us saying brain and heart for our thoughts and emotions! Can’t we all admit the emotions come from the brain and therefore emotions influence our work creativity and productivity. With all the mental strains in the workplace, I hope we can go back to this 10 year old research and again reinforce that intellect and emotions are brain functions and once we learn how to inspire the brain as a resource at work, we will all have more creative and happy teams.

Important questions:

What emotional resources are actually needed to thrive at work?

What enables a leader to inspire others to do their best work?

How does one create an emotional climate that fosters creative innovation on their teams?

Emotional resonance can help people flourish at work!

They list 7 reasons that Emotional Intelligence abilities are crucial at work;

The “Open Loop”, the reality that we rely on our connections with others for our emotional stability.
“Contagion and Leadership”- we are all in the same emotional soup, we share emotions with our teams at work.
People Magnets, laughter can help to unite others and build trust.
Moods impact results, research has shown that positive resonance of emotions increases productivity and retention.
Emotional hijacking, distress or negative emotions at work lessens our creativity and our empathy.
Good moods, good work, positive hopeful emotions increase decision making and business results.
Culture- service culture is associated with increase revenue yet the more emotionally draining the work they recommend more empathy and support is needed from the leader.

So it turns out empathy and compassion are important as are positive emotional balances to help our teams flourish and stay motivated.

Please let me know your favorite Emotional Intelligence TED talk, podcast or manuscript, I love looking for insights into navigating the workplace culture and creativity.

All the best to you and your teams.

Mary

thebrainfresh@gmail.com

If you would like to watch more of my videos sharing brain science to help find more joy in the workplace, follow on YouTube

Want to get your work done faster? Start with brain curiosity! Women docs, focus and productivity