Your compass for fostering a workplace where people rise and thrive even in the midst of challenging times and difficult situations.
Building Compassionate Workplaces blends the best of results-driven leadership with genuine human connection, navigating these waters with compassion, courage, and a touch of humor.
In a world where success often overshadows humanity, my newsletter offers a refreshing perspective: marrying results with care for people, without trite or glib memes and feel-good pop-psychology that tastes sweet, but is nutrient-free. Expect nuance, thoughtfulness, and real-world stories that challenge conventional wisdom and show (not tell) how kindness supports greatness.
Join us as we challenge the status quo, even while working within it, to build workplaces where people feel valued, heard, and inspired to do their best work. Work can be tough, but it doesn't have to be soul-crushing.
Together, let's lead with heart without sacrificing results and or losing sight of the fundamental humanity that underpins our professional endeavors.
Let's build something meaningful together.
Why subscribe?
Gain Insight: Explore nuanced perspectives on leadership, blending empathy with effectiveness in the workplace.
Challenge Conventional Wisdom: Join a community dedicated to questioning the status quo and out-dated workplace norms.
Cultivate Resilience: Learn how kindness supports greatness and discover strategies for thriving even in challenging work environments.
Connect with Like-minded Professionals: Join a community of leaders committed to balancing results with genuine care for people.
Inspire Meaningful Change: Be part of a movement to build workplaces where individuals feel valued, heard, and inspired to excel.
Free vs Paid Subscriptions.
Free:
Just the newsletter
Paid:
The newsletter as a podcast.
Guides and worksheets
Monthly "Ask Me Anything"/ Coaching "Office Hours"/ Walk-up-Coaching
Why pay at all?
This newsletter supports my business. It is and will remain free.
But good writing and content doesn’t just get churned out. It wouldn’t be good writing and content if it were. It takes time and effort to create thoughtful, meaningful content. A paid subscription simply says that you respect and value the work that creators put into this kind of writing, and value the expertise and perspectives they bring.
No should, just a gentle invitation.
Q&A
1. How frequently do you publish?
Once or twice a month. Not more.
2. Why would I subscribe to yet another newsletter on leadership?
Excellent question! I’d say, if you’ve got it figured out, then don’t!
But if you’re fed-up with the self-hyping content that is becoming LinkedIn, then maybe give this one a try.
3. Is this going to be another newsletter that jumps on the “bring your authentic, vulnerable self to work” bandwagon?
No. Been there, done that, paid the price. Luckily I got out alive—but only just.
If you fail to understand and respect power dynamics, this is advice is naïve at best, deadly at worst. Even the proselytizer-in-chief, Brene Brown, of authenticity and vulnerability is clear on that.
I’m not interested in setting up more people to tolerate bullying and other inappropriate workplace behaviours.
4. You just used the word bullying. Is this a newsletter about workplace bullying?
Yes, no and maybe. Workplace bullying exists—and it has deadly consequences. The issue will likely come up from time to time—as it is the exact opposite of building a compassionate workplace—and we’ll address it, with thoughtfulness and nuance.
5. Kindness is weakness in the workplace isn’t it?
If you’re prepared to have your thinking on that challenged, stick around. If you’re not, this is not the newsletter for you.
6. Will you be selling to me?
No…and yes. The newsletters are just that, newsletters.
From time to time, I do offer leadership and other professional development programs. I will let you know of them, but will not be using the newsletter to “sell” them.
Those “selling” emails will come from a different platform. So you can unsubscribe there without losing access to the newsletter.
Sue Mann, Empowering Partner to Organizations
From being the sole female head of a top-rated South African diplomatic mission in the Middle East, to being hired in as an “innovative change agent”, I partner with organizations to empower their people to rise and thrive in challenging times & difficult situations.
My 30-year career is characterized by high-stakes situations and turnarounds. During the second Palestinian intifada, I led South Africa’s diplomatic mission in Palestine to a top 5 ranking out of 92 missions globally, while ensuring staff safety. I have been instrumental in turning around failing operations, executed contract work-outs, and implemented financial and other restructuring strategies. I established the project management office for a first-of-its kind "utility of the future" smart grid project.
In my professional and personal journey I’ve navigated through significant losses to experience “post traumatic growth.” I have learned how to hone my impact from being perceived as abrasive to being acknowledged for the depth of my resilience, courage, and compassion. I have taken fire—literally and metaphorically. I leverage all of these experiences to contribute meaningfully to others and my broader purpose, and to speak “truth to power” to productively address problematic leadership styles.
As an empowering partner to organizations I have, among other outcomes, facilitated organizational healing following instances of disruptive leadership that impacted culture and morale; restored trust and respect in relationships strained by conflict; and guided leaders at risk of derailing, to being praised for their leadership abilities. I have revitalized teams and individuals at risk of burnout, fostering resilience and renewed energy.
My services include individual executive and leadership coaching; group and team programs; and trainings and workshops. Specialty services include: transitions, resilience, conflict, and abrasive leaders.
"We settled our legal process yesterday. Sue was a key person to the leadership team and the company as a whole through this process. Sue stood with us and gave us skills at a critical time when we needed them." Managing Partner, Consulting Firm"Sue’s coaching is graceful and fluid. Her comfort with silence, her spaciousness, and her artful, powerful presence were truly a gift. I could be open, vulnerable and very truthful. With Sue I was able to work through significant blocks and struggles." Maureen Caley-Verdonk"From her very first message to me Sue lived her “compassion first philosophy”. It is what drew me to her." Cameron Crone