These are all the ways that leaders can benefit from self-compassion 

Imposter syndrome, perfectionism and people pleasing are just some of the pervasive norms we’ve come to accept—and even expect—from high-achievers. And when we hear advice about how we can mitigate this internal strife, we hear phrases like ‘fake it to you make it’. All too often, the self-criticism, insecurity, and harsh self-judgement remains.

Take for example Sara, a high-achieving marketing director who recently had a major campaign launch falter. When reality fell significantly short of projected targets, she immediately blamed herself. “I spiraled into harsh self-criticism, working excessive hours, and neglecting my wellbeing to try and make up for what we’d lost. I knew I was being too hard on myself—but I thought if I could just push through, I’d be able to salvage some success.”

If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Many leaders struggle to show themselves compassion, in part due to the archaic belief that we have to push ourselves harder and harder to achieve results. As a result, we end up tying so much of our self-worth to our outputs, which is a dangerous territory. But research shows that we can achieve incredible results by cultivating self-compassion and fiercely holding ourselves accountable while being kind to ourselves along the way.

Self-compassion is not weakness

According to leading researcher and editor of the Handbook of Self-Compassion Amy Finlay-Jones, self-compassion is “treating yourself with the same kindness you would offer a dear friend.” And as Finlay-Jones explained to us, an increasing body of research shows that it’s crucial for effective leadership.

Don’t confuse self-compassion with self-indulgence or self-care. As Finlay-Jones framed it, self-compassion isn’t “just about being nice to ourselves.” Instead, it’s similar to replacing self-criticism with self-understanding and acknowledging our humanity.

She emphasized,  “It’s not about letting ourselves off the hook,” but about approaching challenges with a more balanced perspective, which fosters both self-kindness and a commitment to growth.

Resilience through self-compassion

Studies show that leaders who are self-compassionate are better equipped to handle stress, navigate setbacks. They also create a more supportive team environment. That’s because self-compassionate leaders have increased emotional regulation which reduces the likelihood of burnout and fosters work environments that are positive and nurturing.

Leaders who cultivate self-compassion are also better equipped to handle setbacks and support their teams through adversity because they possess a stronger ability to “take accountability for their behavior, for their lives,” Finlay-Jones explained. Leaders who are highly self-critical, on the other hand, are more likely to project blame elsewhere out of insecurity and fear or failure.

Reap the benefits of self-compassion

When leaders show themselves a lack of compassion, like Sara did, it often leads to counterproductive behaviors and undesirable outcomes for themselves and their teams. In contrast, self-compassion can lead to the following benefits, which extends beyond the individual:

1. Better emotional regulation: Self-compassion improves emotional regulation, which is crucial for leaders facing stressful situations. Finlay-Jones emphasized the importance of “being aware of how we’re feeling during times of difficulty and really being curious about our emotions and our experiences.” This allows leaders to manage their emotional responses more effectively, which prevents  impulsive decisions.

2. Reduced burnout and increased resilience: The relentless demands of leadership often lead to burnout. However, self-compassion acts as a buffer against this. By treating themselves with kindness and understanding, leaders can prevent the downward spiral of self-criticism and exhaustion. This allows for a more compassionate response to setbacks.

3. Improved decision-making: Interestingly, when faced with difficult decisions, self-compassionate leaders are less likely to succumb to emotional biases and more likely to consider multiple perspectives.

4. Stronger team dynamics and increased collaboration: By modeling self-compassionate behaviors, leaders encourage open communication, mutual respect, and a shared sense of purpose. Finlay-Jones shares that self-compassion can contribute to a leader’s ability to create “a culture of psychological safety” where team members feel safe to make mistakes and learn from them.

5. Enhanced ethical leadership: Self-compassion promotes ethical leadership by encouraging leaders to prioritize the individual wellbeing of their teams and make decisions based on empathy and fairness. Leaders who practice self-compassion are better at recognizing and addressing issues of injustice and inequality.

4 ways to improve your self-compassion

If you’re looking for ways to bolster your self-compassion and improve your leadership, you might want to consider the following practices:

1. Cultivate mindfulness: This involves developing the ability to observe your thoughts and emotions without judgment. Recognize them as transient experiences rather than fixed realities. Says Finlay-Jones, “It’s about being aware of how we’re feeling during times of difficulty, and really being curious about our emotions and our experiences.”

2. Embrace shared humanity: An important component of self-compassion is understanding that we’re not alone in our struggles. On the contrary, even for leaders, setbacks and difficult emotions are a universal part of the human experience. This perspective shifts the focus from flagellating yourself with blame, judgement and even shame, to a more compassionate understanding of what you’re going through.

3. Practice self-kindness: Imagine your dearest friend, a child or another loved one. Now imagine extending the same empathy, understanding, and compassion to yourself that would extend to that person. What would that look and feel like? What language or gestures would you use to demonstrate your empathy, understanding and compassion towards that person? How might it feel to direct that language and those gestures of kindness towards yourself?

4. Establish healthy boundaries: Many people struggle to extend kindness to themselves. The “yin and yang” of self-compassion, as Finlay Jones noted,  recognises the need for both tender self-care and assertive boundary-setting. This requires the courage to say ‘no’ to unreasonable demands. 

Cultivating self-compassion is not a once off, but an ongoing process that requires regular practice and self-reflection. High achievers might find it uncomfortable, but  leaders who embrace self-compassion stand to enhance their wellbeing and create a more positive, supportive, and successful work environment.