Self-kindness and self-compassion are concepts that seem to be discussed primarily in articles touting the importance of caring for our mental health and happiness. Business leaders should, however, take note. The most important relationship we will ever have is the relationship with ourselves and if we are fighting an internal battle with an internal enemy, we will never be able to show up as our best self for others at home or at work. When individuals treat themselves with the same empathy and understanding they extend to others, they are better equipped to manage stress, recover from setbacks, and maintain a positive outlook. This, in turn, reduces burnout and turnover, leading to a more stable and engaged workforce. Scientific research from the last 20 years has proven this to be true.
In a groundbreaking study, Barbar Frederickson and her colleagues (Fredrickson, Cohn, Coffey, Pek, & Finkel, 2008) found that practicing Loving Kindness Meditation for only seven weeks increased and sustained increased feelings of purpose, improved immune function, and strengthened resilience. This in turn provides people with the personal tools to manage stress more effectively and ultimately decrease burnout.
A study by Tonelli (2014) has show that loving kindness meditation can reduce migraine pain in the moment and alleviate chronic migraines. And studies performed in 2013 (Kearney) showed that 12 weeks of practicing loving kindness meditations significantly reduced depression and PTSD symptoms. Better health decreases lost time from work and increases the chance that people are able to bring their best self to work.
Finally, when people are able to find peace within, their empathetic response to others increases, implicit bias decreases, and they report feeling more connected to others. (Kok 2013) This, in turn, positively affects collaboration, teamwork, and innovation.
Promoting self-kindness and self-compassion within the business context makes sense. It demonstrates a company’s genuine concern for an employee’s wellbeing and resilience, and it fosters a culture of collaboration, teamwork, and productivity. By prioritizing self-kindness, companies can cultivate a workforce that is not only happier and healthier but also more capable of achieving sustained growth and excellence.
If you’d like to learn more about bringing self-kindness and self-compassion strategies to your organization or team, check out my three signature micro- learning workshop series’- Workplace Wellbeing, Authenticity in the Workplace, and Stress Busters!
