Insights from Dr. Andrea Hollingsworth

We recently had the pleasure of chatting with Dr. Andrea Hollingsworth, founder and CEO of Hollingsworth Consulting and author of the new book The Compassionate Advantage: How Top Leaders Build More Humanizing Workplaces. Dr. Andrea is a global expert on compassionate leadership with a rich background in the science and spirituality of human emotions and relationships. Our conversation spanned her journey from academia to consulting and highlighted the importance of compassionate action in leadership.

In discussing her journey from academia to consulting, we dove into how her experiences have shaped her into a compassionate leader. Andrea’s insights on how compassion and leadership intertwine provide valuable lessons for those looking to foster healing and connection within their teams.

Dr. Linda Schubring, Brian Schubring, and I enjoyed talking with Andrea. The day we recorded was the launch day for the book! Andrea shared how the book emerged during the 2020 pandemic, providing a means to translate her deep scholarly research into practical advice for anyone aiming to improve their leadership skills through compassion.

Who is Dr. Andrea Hollingsworth?

A Journey of Passion and Purpose. Andrea talked us through her theology, counseling, and marriage and family therapy background, emphasizing their role in cultivating her passion for compassion. Transitioning out of academia in 2016, she began translating her research into actionable insights for leaders and teams during the pandemic. This transition enabled Andrea to connect with a broader audience, making complex theories on healing and relationships accessible.

Andrea’s story, from academia to consulting, is inspiring. During the pandemic, she found herself at home with a toddler and began offering free classes on mindfulness and compassion. What started as community support evolved into business consulting, where Andrea now coaches leaders and teams on embedding compassion in their work environments.

Navigating Conflict and Building Hope

One of Andrea’s impactful insights is on conflict resolution within teams. We discussed how handling conflict well sustains trust and safety within a group. Andrea provided examples of how compassion aids leaders in navigating difficult discussions, especially during high-stress times (like the pandemic) or societal issues such as the George Floyd incident (she is based on MN).

Introducing Self-Compassion to Business Culture

During our conversation, Brian Schubring inquired about introducing self-compassion to business leaders, who are often wary of such “soft” concepts. Andrea shared personal stories about maladaptive perfectionism’s effects on her professional life and recounted how a city leader utilized self-compassion after George Floyd’s murder to facilitate healing discussions.

Stories of Courage and Vulnerability in Leadership

Andrea shared inspiring stories of leaders like Ramona Secura, who expertly handled sensitive workplace issues with open, compassionate communication. Such examples illustrate how compassionate leaders create environments where employees feel safe and valued, enhancing trust.

The Role of Self-Criticism and Compassion in Personal Growth

Andrea’s discussion on the impact of the inner critic resonated with us deeply. She emphasized recognizing and naming this critical voice (Marlene!) as a vital first step toward personal growth. This strategy helps leaders manage their inner critics and cultivate a more compassionate self-view.

Creating Safe Spaces for Self-Compassion in the Workplace

Creating safe spaces for self-compassion can be challenging, but Andrea highlighted the importance of how leaders listen and interact. Leaders who actively listen and ask open-ended questions help build predictable environments where employees feel safe and cared for.

Empathy in Action: Addressing Sensitive Issues

We were inspired by Andrea’s story about transforming feedback into positive action. When an employee expressed feeling racially insulted, their leader addressed the issue and launched an initiative to support the employee’s community, showcasing empathy in action.

Our Call to Action

This conversation with Dr. Andrea Hollingsworth illustrates that compassion and leadership are compatible and essential for creating resilient and connected teams. Leaders can improve personal and organizational outcomes by embedding compassion into daily practices.

Here are a few ideas on how you can do that:

1. Care, Don’t Carry: Provide support but set emotional boundaries to prevent overwhelm.
2. Consistency and Rhythmicity: Create predictable systems to foster trust and safety.
3. Ruthless Self-Care: Make self-care a priority to sustain effective leadership.

For a deeper dive into these insights, we highly recommend Andrea’s book, The Compassionate Advantage. You can learn more and order her book at Hollingsworth Consulting.

Questions?

We would love to hear your thoughts on this episode or answer any other questions you have about building a positive team culture. Please connect with us here!