Compassion: Part 2

In yesterdays post I talked about compassion, the impact on healthcare staff when is there is a lack of it, and the benefits of instilling compassionate behaviour in the workplace. Today I am making some suggestions of how to encourage compassion within the healthcare industry. This is by no means an exhaustive, or prescriptive list, just a bunch of ideas you can add to, and that would suit your service.

Let me know your thoughts.

1) Listen, listen, listen

2) Be aware of yours and the other persons state

3) Take an altruistic approach and provide action where you can

4) Demonstrate appreciation

5) Be sincere

6) Show up regularly!

7) Respect another person’s truth

8) Practice self-compassion

9) Its natural and we can all do it

10) Avoid the blocks to compassion (anger, jealousy, arrogance, envy)

1) Listen, listen, listen. I can’t stress this enough, how will the staff feel worthy or acknowledged if we can’t even give them the time of day to be heard? So when I say listen, that also involves planning and time management. Even if its 10 mins in private, and that calls for quiet from you if you are the receiver of the conversation. Allow the other person to have your total attention and acknowledging the points made.

2) Be aware of yours and the other persons state. Notice body language like eye movements, expressions and mood, and the language they use. If you cannot change the other persons or your own for example when someone is highly anxious or stressed. Arrange a time to talk or take them to another place, outside in nature is always a good way to change state.

3) Take an altruistic approach and provide action where you can. Demonstrate that you are concerned with the wellbeing of others. If you become aware there something that could be improved for that person have the intention to help them. Maybe it’s not always possible to provide an action, but the motivation to do so provides the altruism.

4) Demonstrate appreciation. Tell people how much you appreciate their efforts, their contributions and their opinions. Always thank people for their work, particularly after a busy shift, and check in regarding their well-being.

5) Be sincere. Show your compassion like you mean it! Think of the key values in health care like caring, nurturing and soothing. Its what we were designed for!

6) Show up regularly. Having a regular presence in the clinical environment and talking to staff in their language speaks realms in demonstrating your concerns for their wellbeing.

7) Respect another person’s truth. Base on their own beliefs and experiences, their map of the world with its version of reality will be different from yours, and must be respected and acknowledged to help develop rapport and further conversation. Allowing the other person to talk and bring their own ideas to the table can then be discussed rationally.

8) Practice self-compassion. We need to make sure we give ourselves the same kindness we are giving to others. We give ourselves support and encouragement rather than being self- critical or judgemental, affecting our self-esteem. It’s a way of developing coping mechanisms and building resilience. Consider bringing meditation or mindfulness into your life.

9) Its natural and we can all do it! According to Buddhist practice we come into this world with love and compassion. It can also be taught, and there is a plethora of information on the web about fostering compassionate behaviours, taking part in research, further study and even worked into artificial intelligence!

10) Avoid the blocks to compassion. Anger, jealousy, envy and arrogance. If you or the person you are talking to is displaying those behaviours, compassion won’t get a look in.