Compassionate leadership matters more than ever right now

In a world of constant disruption, compassion isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity, writes Peta Sigley.

Right now, almost everyone is carrying something – stress, burnout, and worry about the future. And in many workplaces, this quiet strain is starting to show in performance, communication, and culture.

As a leader, or as someone others look to, you don’t need to have all the answers. But you do need to hold space for what the people around you are going through.

Five years ago, our collective resilience was tested by the shock of a global pandemic. Today, that acute disruption has evolved into a slower, more persistent fatigue. Whether it’s the rising cost of living, political uncertainty, the volatility of overseas conflicts, or an unrelenting news cycle that rarely brings relief, the sense of overwhelm is real – and it’s everywhere. The crises may have changed shape, but the pressure they place on people remains just as heavy.

At Springfox, we define compassion as the ability to genuinely care for yourself and others in pursuit of the greater good. It’s not soft – it’s strategic. Compassion gives us perspective, encourages resilience, and enables better decision making under pressure.

In the workplace, this means acknowledging that not everyone is always operating at 100 per cent. Leaders who take the time to check in, to listen without judgement, and to recognise when someone might be struggling lay the foundation for trust, psychological safety, and long-term loyalty.

Compassion isn’t just about empathy. It’s about action. It’s about noticing when someone’s flat and saying something.

Sometimes, it looks like practical support, lending a hand, loosening expectations, or ensuring access to helpful resources like coaching, counselling or professional development. Other times, it’s a well-timed “thank you” or simply asking, “How are you, really?”

At its core, compassion is about building a culture of care – not just in workplaces, but in friendships, families, and communities. It means valuing wellbeing, showing up when it counts, and investing in relationships that can weather uncertainty and grow stronger through it.

When we lead and live this way, we help others feel seen, supported, and capable. We help them bounce forward from setbacks and thrive for the long haul.

Compassion doesn’t mean tolerating poor behaviour or neglecting business goals. It means leading with awareness, responding with care, and creating space for people to bring their full (and sometimes struggling) selves to the table.

There’s no quick fix for the world’s current complexity – but we can choose how we show up for others. And in times like these, compassion isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity.

Peta Sigley is the chief executive of Springfox.