The Many Faces of a Compassionate Business
A totally raw ramble about being a mom of 2 and a CEO.Being a CEO and a mom can being you to the brink of a breakdown and tear you down to the essence of who you are - The bare bones of your person.A place where you can make a choice:
- Who am I and what do I want to become?
- What can I do and what do I want to accomplish?
- How do I want to exist with the world?
- How do I see myself and how do others perceive me?
- How can I define the lines between who I am , who the business is and who my children are?
- Why do I do what I do?
- Why do I make the choices that I make?
- What are the people that are there for you?
- Who are your real connections?
- Who am I?
- Where will all of this lead?
- When will I become free?
- Can I ever totally let go of fear?
As I exist in this state I realize how easy it is to let go of compassion. It is easy to see how other CEOs can become ruthless.In this social media driven world, people have become ruthless. They can hide behind computers and tear down another without so much as a face to face conversation, without allowing for open communication, without allowing for a free exchange of ideas. It is each individual for themselves. Bring down the other so another can feel superior, or find their two seconds of fame riding on a hate filled comments about another.I choose compassion.I choose to interact with the world with compassion.Sometimes that might mean that people will try to walk all over me. Because some see compassion as weakness. You can be loving, compassionate and tough as a CEO. You can also be loving, compassionate and tough as a mom. I am as tough as nails and I am as sensitive as a live wire.I choose compassion.I choose to connect with the world kindly in all that i do. As a parent, a CEO, a person.I do not have pretenses. I am not hipster, hippy, straight edge, sportster, biblical, punk. I am not what I eat. I am not girly or masculine. I am not weak or strong. I am not defined by being a mother. I am not defined by my single days. In a world of cliques and compartmentalized groups where do i fit?I am a little of it all and I am none of it.
What does compassionate living look like?
Connection with community. One of the employees from the clothing store Stella Studio came by the restaurant and introduced herself. She welcomed us to the neighborhood, and spread enthusiasm, ideas and the best seasons of the area.Spreading LOVE.Personal Chef, Jesse Miner, met with us when we first moved to the area. Instead of treating us like competition- he sent us any jobs that he couldn't accept and talked to us about how to connect in the Bay.Understanding of lifestyles and its demands.Erina, my accountant, from Moss CPA, understands motherhood with two children of her own. She is helping me learn the ropes in accounting and understands the setbacks that might arise. She is able to offer concrete strategies for getting it done and being a mom.Honest communication.My marketing advisor, Lisa Gerber, is not afraid to share real feedback. Honest and kind. How can you learn without truth? How can you get better without honesty. My typos on a page are like kale in between my teeth. If no one tells me - they are just as embarrassing. She is also present to share in a woot woot moment or an oh shit moment as we are prepare for an intense marketing strategy.Smiles that go the distance.Ale Industries, local brewer, Stephen, always comes with a smile. He is willing to share and is not angry or put out when your prior meeting runs late. He says he gets it and that is how it goes. His smile warms the room.Sharing sage adviceA florist, Ellen Kim from Gingerleaf floral, shared her time and advice to help me make my style dreams come true.Collaboration of ideasJenney Goot of Three Hearts collaborates and shares ideas about business, and works with me to make a shared garden.Brings ideals to your businessEric Cohen of Justice Grace Vineyards is not just a winery but a social justice campaign.Be a part of the love and compassion. Choose compassion.I choose compassion.Share in the comments below your experience of a compassionate business.Photo Credit: Marji Beach via Compfight cc