How do great leaders think?

I know many of us would contemplate the actions of the homeless guy as high risk.  His actions could be misconstrued as something other than kindness.  However, the homeless guy obviously could not just stand by and watch this child remain cold and shivering for much longer.  Therefore, he took action and provided what he considered to be a solution.

I recently read and had to review a book about great leaders – “How Great Leaders Think – the art of reframing”.  Although the book touched on business structure, identity, excellence and politics, for me, it missed one key element of great leadership, and that is – “COMPASSION”.

The meaning of the word COM PASSION is derived mid-14c., from Old French compassion “sympathy, pity” (12c.), from Late Latin compassionem (nominative compassio) “sympathy,” noun of state from past participle stem of compati “to feel pity,” from com- “together” (see com-) + pati “to suffer” (see passion).

Compassion is a great asset in life and therefore, in business. Compassion can create a profitable and successful eco-system for us all, who dare to take a risk and demonstrate what it takes to be great leaders in the industry.

At the end of the video, you saw two young men walk up to the boy and the homeless guy – watch the clip to see what happened.

So what did I learn?

1. Business is not for everyone. Not all of us are prepared to take action or risk doing something out of our everyday comfort zone.
2. Leaders come in all shapes and sizes. Do not underestimate those that ‘seem not as influential as you’; leadership and game changers are everywhere.
3. As leaders, you need to take action, sometimes at great risk.
4. Your idea regardless of how simple it seems can make a difference, the rewards will come.

Compassion pays in business!