Leadership starts with how you treat yourself
[FREE WORKSHOP] Practical ways to lead with compassion
“Compassion starts within. As leaders, the more we treat ourselves with kindness, the more resilience, clarity, and patience we bring to our communities.”
- Sara Schairer
As community builders, we're often so focused on creating safe spaces for others that we forget to extend that same grace to ourselves. It's easy to feel like we're not doing enough, not moving fast enough, not making enough of a difference.
Honestly, that’s just not true.
Every time you choose connection over division, every time you create a space for genuine dialogue, you're showing the world that there's another way.
You’re pushing back against the tide of digital chaos in a culture that seems to reward constant hustle. And you’re offering an alternative amidst a news cycle that seems allergic to kindness.
Choosing self-compassion is an act of resistance.
That’s why I’m thrilled to welcome Sara Schairer to The Hive next Wednesday for a conversation on compassionate leadership and how caring for ourselves helps us better care for others.
FREE LIVE WORKSHOP
Wednesday, February 19th | 1:00-2:00pm EST
You'll discover:
How treating yourself with kindness makes you a more effective leader
Simple daily practices to avoid burnout and maintain clarity
Why self-compassion isn't selfish—it's foundational for impact
Sara’s work, from Stanford's Compassion Cultivation Training® to founding the global nonprofit Compassion It®, has empowered thousands of leaders to show up for themselves with the same kindness they offer others.
✨ SARA'S CORNER ✨
I've invited Sara to share her wisdom with our community today. Her message couldn't be more timely or important for all of us working to build meaningful communities in these challenging times.
Leading with Compassion: Prioritizing Your Well-Being as a Community Leader by Sara Schairer
As a community leader, you are the heart and soul of the group you serve. You're wearing multiple hats, often balancing a full-time job while building a community, and facing the reality of necessary growth. At the same time, you strive to create safe and supportive spaces for others.
Amid these demands, community leader burnout is real.
"A leader who prioritizes self-compassion becomes a source of strength and stability for their community. When you care for yourself, you're better equipped to care for others."
So how can you sustain your efforts without losing yourself in the process? The answer lies in self-compassion: the practice of treating yourself with the same kindness and understanding you extend to others.
Self-compassion is more than self-care—it's a mindset shift that allows you to acknowledge your humanity and embrace imperfection. Research shows that self-compassion reduces stress, fosters resilience, and improves overall well-being. For community leaders, it's a crucial tool for navigating challenges while maintaining the health of both yourself and your community.
When you prioritize your well-being, you model sustainable leadership. This creates a ripple effect, inspiring others in your community to care for themselves and support each other. By cultivating self-compassion, you build a foundation for lasting impact.
Community leaders often hold themselves to impossibly high standards. When things don't go as planned, it's easy to spiral into self-criticism. Instead, try reframing your inner dialogue. Instead of being a self-critic, be a self-coach.
Replace "I'm not doing enough" with "I'm doing my best under challenging circumstances." Acknowledge your efforts and celebrate small wins.
"Remember, saying 'no' to one thing often means saying 'yes' to your well-being."
This shift not only boosts your confidence but also allows you to approach challenges with greater clarity and creativity.
Mindfulness helps you stay present and grounded, even during hectic days. A simple practice like mindful breathing can make a big difference:
Pause for a moment during your day
Close your eyes and take three slow, deep breaths, allowing the exhale to be longer than the inhale
Focus on the sensation of your breath moving in and out of your body
This practice engages your parasympathetic nervous system, allowing you to feel calmer and more clear-headed.
In order to avoid overcommitment, you need strong boundaries. Start by identifying your top three core values and your community's top three priorities and let go of whatever doesn't align. Here's what setting boundaries might look like:
Delegating responsibilities to trusted team members or volunteers
Saying "no" to additional projects that don't align with your values or goals
It's easy to feel isolated as a leader, but self-compassion doesn't require you to do it alone. Build a support network of trusted peers, mentors, and fellow community leaders who understand your challenges. Sharing your experiences and seeking advice fosters a sense of common humanity: the understanding that we're all in this together.
Self-compassion doesn't require dramatic life changes. Start small by incorporating one new practice into your daily routine, such as a five-minute mindfulness exercise or journaling to reframe self-critical thoughts. Over time, these small shifts will create a big impact on your well-being and your leadership.
Consider this: a leader who prioritizes self-compassion becomes a source of strength and stability for their community. When you care for yourself, you're better equipped to care for others.
Community leadership is a journey of passion, dedication, and resilience. Along the way, self-compassion can be your compass, guiding you through challenges and helping you sustain your impact.
What's one self-compassion practice you can begin this week? Whether it's setting a boundary, pausing for mindfulness, or simply giving yourself grace, know that prioritizing your well-being isn't just a gift to yourself—it's an act of service to your community.
While the world feels overwhelming, Sara wisely reminds us that our greatest strength comes not from pushing harder, but from being gentler with ourselves.
💝 Every time you pause, reset, and care for your well-being, you're modeling leadership that puts humanity and healing first - exactly what our world needs right now.
Join us next week to explore how to lead from this place of grounded strength.
Here's to being gentle with ourselves,
