Several days ago, posted an article in LinkedIn which really grabbed at my attention–both mind and heart. He entitled it “IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO BE WHAT YOU MIGHT HAVE BEEN”. So very kind, smart, loving, and timely.
Especially in today’s social climate, it is crucial for us to have positive postings to take us to a place where we have hope and real insight into creating the life we crave. His article was simply a posting of the following picture. 
What a wonderful sentiment…I’ve been paying close attention lately to an additional component of this concept and it extends to the reality of something I am tempted to entitle Business Compassion. It is when a business leader, a true genteel leader, succeeds and is truly adored by their followers…..in order for them to get into a position to step away from their role and lead the life of personal that they know will replenishment them, things need to be in authentically appropriate and good order. They feel the depth and breadth of their commitment to what they have created, and minus ego, they see clearly that their stepping away can wreak havoc if not managed and choreographed strategically and timed carefully. Very important for this kind of Business Compassion to be identified and respected as well as guided — these leaders self sacrifice knowing their compromise but care so genuinely that their lives come second to the numerous causes before them.
Let’s not wonder why the rates of cardiovascular disease is so prevalent in this sector of our American executive population. My response to it is my life work–compassion, pausing, pacing, managing stress healthfully and wholistically, and establishing replenishing outlets.
I’ve been interviewed about stress and burnout many times and have left out some important elements, business compassion is one. The other is Pure Joy….and the state of Joyfulness that resides inside of a Compassionate Business Leader. I’ve known so many and it is humbling to realize that I have overlooked the obvious. There are many forms of leadership–when it comes to the C Suite, the people who who are the Chiefs, it is vital for them to absolutely love what they do and experience Joyfulness in the midst of it–because the load is heavy and unyielding….they are responsible for leading business operations and the people who participate in making it all happen. Whether it is 3 people or 3000 people, these are lives that depend upon the appearance, functional ability, integrity, and energy of the leader. There is no time for this leader to have burnout…..they need to replenish and thrive in the midst of what they do. It is frivolous to offer advice about how to take time and how to consider walking away–the authentically Compassionate Business Leader has no tolerance for that. They cannot help but be accountable and they embrace the Joyfulness, amidst the reality of the agony which they keep rather quiet.
That being said, if you are one of these magnificent leaders or if you are in their midst, please open your heart to the reality of the additional portion of the formula of Compassion–the compassion of you and for you. Each and every one of us needs and craves love…..deep and passionate and romantic love. You will indeed suffer Burn Out as you continue to lead but your mind and body and spirit will pay the price….in your cardiovascular well-being, in your own loneliness, and in the personal space where you long to share your Joyfulness with a Significant Other who will add to the richness of it for years beyond the C Suite days.
It is indeed never to late to be what you might have been. I believe and write and speak about becoming the best version of yourself–allowing love is at the very core of it all. Become the very best of who you are already–loving and kind and compassionate in your personal life, in your most passionate and deeply romantic part of your heart, your core….with the partner there beside you now, replenished…..or with who it is you have a desire for and think it might be too late for you. Like I opened with–it is never too late……..
