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Does Compassion Belong in the Workplace?
All relationships are gloriously messy. Because all humans are irresistibly paradoxical. Though most of us prefer to make decisions based on "OUGHT" instead of "IS". Therefore, all of us suffer, at some point, some more, some less. Yet, companies (I mean the people making up what we call companies) insist, tacitly of course, that suffering ought to be a private matter, wanting only the glory and not the messiness. Companies expect that our families and friends ought to be those who deal with the ickiness of our suffering, so that we may show up at work, impeccably professional. And obligingly, we show up at work, day after day, a self-edited standardised version of "human". But, what if it is precisely this very messiness, these very paradoxes, the "IS-ness" of suffering, that is the gateway to abiding belonging, boundless creativity and enduring purpose? And compassion the key that unlocks these gates? Contrary to the sentiment that compassion is a sign of weakness, compassion demands courageous. Neither is compassion a fad, being the golden thread that weaves through all ancient holy texts. But the million-dollar question remains, "does compassion belong in the workplace?" The response may not be as black & white as you imagine. |
Well-being: The Pathway to Inclusion
An organisation is a living system, and its identity is co-created by every employee’s be-ing – words, actions, intentions. Therefore, when an organisation becomes a space where individual well-being can be cultivated at the personal, social and professional level, a sense of collaboration, trust, and safety naturally ensues. In this regard, well-being may be understood not, as the absence of misery, but rather, as a set of skills and mindsets capable of creating sustainable pathways to agility and resilience at the personal level; inviting pro-social and respectful behaviours at the team level; and transforming conflict and tension into innovation and thriving at the organisational level. How does this work? Quite simply, people in pain (catalysed by feeling invisible, toxic relationships, unresolved conflict, sense of insecurity etc.) tend to create pain for those around them. Cultivating well-being is not only an antidote to existing pain, but as well a vaccine to prevent it from spreading. This talk weaves together elements of neuroscience research, zen fables, and management science to illustrate how the PERMAH (positive emotions, engagement, relationships, meaning, achievement, health) framework of well-being can be applied to promote an inclusive and resilient workforce. |
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"You have a way of piercing through the fog and making clear the distinctions that matter for your audience. Your energy is inviting and grounded, allowing [me] to feel safe to ponder the questions you are raising, some of which are quite difficult and probing ... Perhaps it is this ground-ness or still-ness [that makes me] feel more empowered to come from a place of certainty ..."
Vincent Ng (co-Founder, The Happiness Festival) |
"By far one of the best speeches I have heard; the standing ovation alone was testament to that fact. The audience were spellbound, and the room quiet and hanging on to every word she said. It was an one of a kind experience. Through it all, we could feel her huge, larger-than-life presence come through and cast a spell on the audience - something I have only seen the best speakers do."
Joseph Prahbakar (CEO, Power Communications) |