The 7 Principles of Compassionate Diversity®

We say we treat others as we would want to be treated. But what if they don't want to be treated like we do?

Let’s take a look at the idea of respect. I believe everyone wants to be respected, but consider how you show respect to people.

Do you look people in the eye when you are talking to them? Do you hold the door? Do you say “please” and “thank you”?

Are you aware that the complete opposite behavior - not looking people in the eye, not holding the door, not saying “please” and “thank you” - might also be respectful behavior?

Compassionate Diversity® is based on 7 Principles that are grounded in research and theory from a cross-section of disciplines. They help build the mindset and skills necessary to create a foundation of trust so that we can connect with others in more meaningful ways.

Understanding these 7 Principles are key to your success in Compassionate Diversity®. Here’s a high-level overview:

1. First, Awareness is always the first step, no matter what we want to improve on. It’s necessary for understanding not only ourselves and our motivation, but also the needs of others.
2. Authenticity helps us to understand the context of different situations and to act in alignment with our deepest held values.
3. Vulnerability creates a space for courageous, truthful, and thoughtful conversations.
4. Open-mindedness allows us to see from different perspectives, even if we don’t agree with those perspectives.
5. Emotional Intelligence gives us the ability to connect to deeper meaning through our feelings.
6. Letting Go clarifies our values and opens us up to opportunities to create more of what we want in life.
7. And finally, Continuous Learning helps us to integrate our learning and experiences into new ways of being.

One of the biggest mistakes we make is that we want to be able to do this stuff overnight. But as with any other kind of learning, that's just not how it happens.

We can't wake up one morning and do calculus if we haven't even gotten through basic math.

There's no magic pill you can take to make you more aware or authentic or open-minded.

It takes work, and it requires a level of humility - and let’s face it - bravery. We've got to be willing to question our beliefs and our motivations.

We have to admit that our way is one way, not the way.

We especially have to understand that we only control one thing - ourselves. And in that choice of controlling ourselves and our expectations, we can transform our relationships with others.

If you want quick, practical tips for building more compassion into your organization, download our free e-book on the 35 Things You Can Do Now to Build More Compassion here.

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