The Four Pillars of Compassionate Leadership
“The Compassionate Leadership Principles point the way to leading and working compassionately together across health and social care which is the most powerful way we can nurture the health and happiness of the staff who offer care in Wales. It is also the most powerful way we can promote the health and happiness of the people and communities of Wales now and in the future”.
Professor Michael West, 2021
Our approach to leadership development will be encompassed by the principles of compassion. This includes the four pillars of compassionate leadership as outlined below.
Effective Leadership
- Direction: A clear shared inspiring purpose or vision
- Alignment: Clear goals for people and teams aligned and springing from the vision
- Commitment: Developing Trust and motivation
Inclusive Leadership
- Clear, shared inspiring purpose or vision
- Positively valuing difference
- Frequent face to face contact
- Continuous commitment to equality and inclusion
- Clear roles and strong team
Collective Leadership
- Everyone has leadership responsibility
- Shared leadership in teams
- Interdependent leadership across boundaries
- Consistent leadership styles across the organisation
Systems Leadership
- Shared vision and values
- Long term objectives
- Frequent face to face contact
- Constructive and ethical conflict management
- Mutual support and altruism across boundaries
