David Irvine

I have been deeply moved these past several days by the Haiti situation. The unfathomable tragedy that this country has faced, combined with the enormous compassion of the world to reach out and help has been a profound experience. Even though there is so little any one of us in our comfortable homes in North America can do to make a difference, we can all allow this experience to open our compassionate hearts and find ways to bring more gratitude and caring to our lives. Taking time to let life touch us isn’t the same as wallowing in front of the television, numbing ourselves with the drama of CNN images. But it is important to make room to be moved, to connect with, and respond to those that matter most in our lives.

If leaders today want to build engaging cultures with loyal employees and customers, they need to deepen their presence in order to reach those they serve (yes, serve). You need to be real. You need to be authentic. One way to do that is to let life touch you. Don’t deny the reality of the entire spectrum of the human experience. If we move too quickly through life, protecting ourselves from the enormous pain and joy of being alive, we will soon find ourselves unprepared to deal with the demands of being the kind of leaders it takes to inspire and reach the human heart. After all, leadership starts from within. Whether its the death of a loved one, or simply allowing a movie to fully bring us to tears, life is a continual teacher, taking us deeper and deeper into our essence.

A question for reflection… How has allowing life to touch you made you a better person and thus more capable of serving with a compassionate and clear heart?