Carmen Paredes, the mind behind Exceptional Leadership Solutions, joins Lori Philip on “Daring to Leap” to discuss the indispensable role of compassion in the corporate sphere. With a journey marked by high achievements and a challenging exit from the corporate world due to burnout, Carmen shares her insights into how compassionate leadership can not only prevent such crises but also elevate organizational success.
Why Compassion Matters in Leadership
Carmen defines compassion in leadership as the ability to understand, empathize, and act with kindness toward others’ needs and struggles. She emphasizes that employees spend significant time at work, often more than with their families, highlighting the necessity for leaders to cultivate a supportive and understanding environment.
The Impact of Leadership on Employee Well-being
Carmen’s narrative underlines a stark reality: many leaders fail to exhibit compassion, contributing to employee burnout and disengagement. She cites alarming statistics revealing that a large percentage of employees feel their well-being is disregarded by employers, stressing the critical need for empathetic leadership in the corporate culture.
The CARES Leadership Framework
Carmen introduces the CARES Leadership Framework, emphasizing the foundational role of compassion alongside authenticity, resourcefulness, empowerment, and support. This holistic approach aims not only to achieve business outcomes but also to foster a nurturing and inclusive workplace environment.