Self-compassion: The secret sauce for business success

Imagine a workplace where employees treat themselves with the same support and understanding they offer their best friends. But more than that, consider how employees being kind to themselves can actually contribute to ‘The Bottom Line’.  

Spoiler alert: self-compassion is not just about feeling warm and fuzzy inside, it is a superpower that not only benefits the individual but is a game-changer for business as well. 

Recent research provides compelling statistical evidence supporting the business case for encouraging self-compassion among employees. 

1. Enhanced employee well-being: A study found that employees who practiced self-compassion reported 59% lower levels of perceived stress and 44% reduction in burnout symptoms. This is crucial, as high stress and burnout rates can lead to increased absenteeism and turnover, which are costly for businesses. 

2. Improved job performance: Research indicates that self-compassionate employees are 35% more likely to engage in proactive behaviours and exhibit a 28% increase in job performance. This is because self-compassion helps individuals recover from setbacks more quickly, have higher levels of self-confidence, and maintain a positive outlook. 

3. Better workplace relationships: A study showed that self-compassionate employees are 40% more likely to have better interpersonal relationships at work. This can lead to a more collaborative and supportive work environment, enhancing overall team performance. 

4. Increased employee engagement: According to research, self-compassion is positively correlated with employee engagement. In fact, self-compassionate employees are 30% more likely to be engaged at work and engaged employees are 25% more committed to their work and are likely to contribute more effectively to organisational goals. 

5. Reduced turnover intentions: A study found that self-compassionate employees are 32% less likely to leave their jobs. This can help organisations retain talent and reduce the costs associated with hiring and training new employees. 

Practical steps to encourage employee self-compassion 

1. Lead by example: Managers and leaders should model self-compassionate behaviour, such as being open about their own challenges and demonstrating self-kindness in their responses to setbacks. 

2. Training and workshops: Implement training programmes that teach employees about self-compassion and its benefits. 

3. Create a supportive culture: Foster a supportive work environment and encourage a culture of openness and support where employees feel safe to express their struggles. 

4. Incorporate self-compassion into performance reviews: Include self-compassion as a component of performance reviews and development plans. Encourage employees to reflect on how they handled challenges and setbacks and provide resources to help them develop self-compassionate practices. 

The evidence is clear: encouraging self-compassion in the workplace is not just a feel-good initiative but a strategic business decision. By fostering a culture of self-compassion, managers can enhance employee well-being, improve job performance, and create a more engaged and resilient workforce. Encouraging self-compassion practices is an investment in the long-term success and sustainability of the organisation. 

Useful references: 

1. Self‐compassion at work: A self‐regulation perspective on its beneficial effects for work performance and wellbeing - Jennings - 2023 - Personnel Psychology - Wiley Online Library 

2. Workplace spirituality, self-compassion and mindfulness as antecedents of employee mental wellbeing | Emerald Insight 

3. Can qualitative job insecurity instigate workplace incivility? The moderating roles of self-compassion and rumination | Emerald Insight 

4. Does kindness matter? Discourses on kindness during the pandemic | Emerald Insight 

5. The mediating effect of mindfulness and self-compassion on leaders' communication competence and job satisfaction | Emerald Insight 

6. Cross-cultural comparison of mental health between Japanese and Dutch workers: relationships with mental health shame, self-compassion, work engagement and motivation | Emerald Insight 

7. Compassion and altruism in organizations: a path for firm survival | Emerald Insight 

8. Self-Compassion and Resilience at Work: A Practice-Oriented Review - Jade-Isis Lefebvre, Francesco Montani, François Courcy, 2020 (sagepub.com) 

9. Perceived stress, self-compassion and job burnout in nurses: the moderating role of self-compassion - Abbas Abdollahi, Azadeh Taheri, Kelly A. Allen, 2021 (sagepub.com) 

10. Self-compassion, physical health, and health behaviour: a meta-analysis: Health Psychology Review: Vol 15 , No 1 - Get Access (tandfonline.com) 

11. Employee Engagement: Keys to Organizational Success | SpringerLink 

12. Frontiers | Cultivating Compassion and Reducing Stress and Mental Ill-Health in Employees—A Randomized Controlled Study (frontiersin.org) 

13. Self compassion in the workplace is more than a nice to have | theHRD (thehrdirector.com) 

14. Leading with Compassion Has Research-Backed Benefits (hbr.org) 

15. To Retain Employees, Give Them a Sense of Purpose and Community (hbr.org) 

16. Self-Compassion Will Make You a Better Leader (hbr.org) 

17. The Power of Healthy Relationships at Work (hbr.org) 

18. Compassion at work: definition, how to show it and benefits | Indeed.com UK 

19. Help your employees find purpose—or watch them leave | McKinsey 

20. Frontiers | Cultivating Compassion and Reducing Stress and Mental Ill-Health in Employees—A Randomized Controlled Study (frontiersin.org) 

21. Explaining benefits of employee proactive personality: The role of engagement, team proactivity composition and perceived organizational support. (apa.org) 

22. Self-Compassion Research in Organizations: Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Outcomes - Center for Mindful Self-Compassion (centerformsc.org)