How can you use your personal brand to create a culture of empathy and compassion within your team?

Empathy is universal, so perhaps we all should have that, but I prefer swapping compassion with care—it signals a deep brand investment. Picture walking into a company and instantly feeling connected to our purpose—a vibe of caring for each other, the brand, customers, and the planet. Culture-wise, I match it with our brand personality, be it fun and easy or bold and free. Our values are the roadmap, crystal clear for all, creating a workplace where everyone feels the brand aligns with who they are and is excited to contribute.

I subscribe to Brené Brown’s approach, limit yourself to 2 core values. From there you can support those core values through behaviors. I also like to draw inspiration from Simon Sinek in this area by turning my core values into actions. For example my core values are acting with courage and leaning into fun. I support them by remaining curious, enjoying others, and practicing integrity among other things. Another point that Simon makes and that I like to include is that we only have one set of core values. Sure you can change them but in the end you don’t have 2 sets at the same time. For instance you wouldn’t find a person only having integrity at home and not at work. What are your core values?

Culture and values can often feel like quite weighty terms, when really they can just be simplified down to how you treat others, want to be treated yourself and the environment that is created through how you enact those two things. In a work environment the 'day job' is the priority though so demonstrating your values and reinforcing them can be difficult to find time to do. Doing so though is an investment in time as the benefits of shared values and a strong culture are greater motivation, happiness, fun, collaboration and productivity. It can often help when your business has a strong EVP as your business values and culture are then clear, and will likely overlap and align with the culture and values of your personal brand.

Knowing your values are important. Living your values will develope trust among team , clients , and anyone coming into contact with your brand.

When values are understood, your interactions with your colleagues up, down or sidewards become a lot easier. They will reach out to you as well in terms of advice, as they know who you are and what you stand for.

Being vulnerable and genuine while also having personal boundaries is important for compassionate leaders. Learn how much to share and how often. This will give permission to others to do the same and also create parameters.

Sharing your vulnerability and the areas that you lack knowledge or confidence is so important for more junior or less confident/competent colleagues to feel secure in the growth distance and journey they have ahead of them. If weakness, fear or mistakes are not shown from above then it is likely that chances and gambles are not going to be taken from below - and trying new things and getting them wrong is one of the best ways to learn. The quicker you accept that things are not always going to go perfect the freer you are to not fear failure. And the more that is communicated to your team the more openness can be achieved. Highlighting this as part of your personal brand also just shows you to be genuine, and that is key.

Absolutely right. Being in a sr. Position you visibility is high, therefor when people understand you can make mistakes or reach out for advice, you grow in their eyes. They will reach out to you easier as they have sent that you can be in similar positions as they could be.

Vulnerability is a superpower—it empowers both individuals and businesses to explore, be energetically aware, and boldly embrace insights. Creating a workplace where people feel safe expressing ideas enhances our business impact. The challenge is to remind everyone that embracing vulnerability comes with the awareness of our human flaws. This awareness prevents misuse, ensuring a culture where openness is a strength we embrace for positive growth.

Listening to understand is entirely different than listening to respond. It takes patience, compassion, awareness and presence. Being able to hear what’s not being said and ask probing questions is vital to deeper understanding.

Biggest difference. Liste and focus! Not hear. I always make notes when I listen, so people understand I value the communication. Always explain them prior to starting of the meeting ‘why’ you take notes.

Wanting to be heard is universal, but how that feels varies for everyone. Active listening isn't just a skill; it can also be a tactical action. Recognizing listening as an action caters to both emotional and analytical individuals. Teams can explore how they want to be heard, crafting principles and roles that embrace diverse communication styles. This approach ensures that each voice is valued, fostering a culture where opinions, perspectives, and emotions are respected.

I close every email as follows: “With gratitude”. It has created my personal brand. I work in the Hospitality and experience business so I am always grateful for the attention people give me, even as small as an email. Gratitude guides you not only through work, but as well through life!

Appreciation and gratitude is essential for teams. Being recognized and respected often outweighs a bonus. People will re-live and repeat the experience , ling after they spend their bonus money!

Gratitude is a powerful expression that creates a positive ripple effect. Taking a moment to acknowledge and thank others fosters a sense of connection and appreciation in both the giver and the receiver.

Expressing gratitude, thanks, celebration, or for just having a go fosters a culture where people feel acknowledged and valued - this in turn encourages them to feel greater ownership and contribution to the business they work for. I regularly express gratitude for effort to my direct colleagues as well as colleagues across the wider business either directly verbally, through our physical 'positive postcards' or on my social media platforms. The purpose of being so overt and widespread in my gratitude is to both celebrate them and strengthen their reputation, but also give them that reputation to want to live up to going forward.

I believe that the way a company is run should benefit individuals not just in their professional but also in their private lives. I've come to understand that true happiness is rooted in gratitude—it's not just about the highs of pleasure but the enduring feeling of harmony. Instilling gratitude in the business culture makes practical sense. It's a tactical approach that not only acknowledges contributions but also nurtures positive mindsets, strengthens relationships, and fosters a sense of belonging and loyalty.

Timely and on going feedback is essential. Blindsiding someone because of pent up frustrations can cause long term damage. Feedback is essential to growth and giving it with kindness and care is a must !

We often hear about corporate politics and to inculcate culture of empathy and compassion, the first step is to eradicate negative work culture. Open cultures and friendly competition along with growing together is the key mantra for a long sustainable growth.

When in a position of leadership, whatever that may be, your actions and your behaviours set the standard to be followed and emulated - so it is important that you deliver them according to what is authentic and aligned with your values and your businesses values. Following a large Employee Value Proposition project our business reconfirmed our behaviours and being employee-owned our employee trustees launched these behaviours as on ongoing campaign. Being in the roles we have, and being the 'faces' of the behaviours campaign, it is imperative that we act as we are encouraging to both set the standard for others to follow but also visualise exactly how behaviours look/feel in action.

Set a good example, be willing to be scrutinised, teach values that you respect yourself. Be truthful and sincere. Perfection in a person doesn’t exist but strive to get as close as you can, taking your protégés with you.

There two values missing: transparency. Have the same story for each and every one, from a message point of view. Your delivery can be different, based on your audience. If you cannot be transparent, because of confidentiality issues, tell them… and your audience will understand. The final one for me is as well: Respect. I have worked in over 20 countries in the world and lived in those countries each time. Respect for the local culture ‘is’ the most important value I had and shown. No matter where you are, or which company your work for, or work with, respect the other side or respect your own company’s values. When you respect a nation, as they are, or even better, if you learn their language, just try, you show them great respect!

It is important to create safe spaces where individuals can be vulnerable and have the freedom to express themselves and share their life experiences.

When using your personal brand to create a culture of empathy and compassion within your team it is paramount that your personal brand actually has space to achieve this. Your personal brand is what people say about you when you leave the room, so if people think one thing about you and you say and try to be something else then your actions are going to be counterproductive. If you want create a culture of empathy and compassion within your team, using your personal brand, then you first need to work on your personal brand.

As a lawyer, you can use your personal brand to create compassion and empathy in your team by leading with authenticity, actively listening to your colleagues, and demonstrating a genuine concern for their well-being. For example, you can openly share your personal experiences to show vulnerability and build trust with your team members. Additionally, you can implement policies that prioritize work-life balance and mental health support, such as flexible scheduling and wellness programs. By embodying these values in your personal brand, you can cultivate a culture of compassion and empathy within your team.