November 21, 2024
Positive Links Speaker Series
Organizational Compassion: A Relational Approach
Ace Simpson
Director, Center for Compassion Studies
November 21, 2024
About the talk
Compassion is traditionally seen as a response to suffering—an essential reaction that seeks to alleviate distress. But what if compassion could also be a proactive force, anticipating and mitigating suffering before it occurs? This idea introduces a paradox: Can compassion remain genuine when it is planned in advance? How can organizations prepare for suffering that has not yet manifested without losing the authenticity of their compassionate actions?
In this talk, Dr. Ace Simpson, author of Organizational Compassion: A Relational Approach (2024), will explore this paradox at the heart of compassion as a (p)response. Drawing on insights from his latest book, he will discuss how to cultivate a culture of compassion that balances the need for preparedness with the spontaneity required for compassionate action. Attendees will gain practical insights for integrating compassion into organizational design, creating environments that are both caring and high performing.
Ace hopes that you will leave this session with a renewed perspective on fostering a compassionate organizational culture, ready to (p)respond to suffering with thoughtful, genuine, and effective compassion.
Resources
- Ace’s textbook: Organizational Compassion: A Relational Approach
- Peter Frost’s book: Toxic Emotions at Work: How Compassionate Managers Handle Pain and Conflict
- Kristin Neff’s books:
- Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself
- Fierce Self-Compassion: How Women Can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power, and Thrive
