Real Presence as the Key to Compassionate Leadership with Parker J. Palmer

Compassionate Accountability Podcast

Dr. Nathan Regier, your host, welcomes Parker J. Palmer. He is a legendary writer, traveler, teacher, and activist who has dedicated his life to understanding and promoting an authentic and practical kind of compassion: his magnificent paper, The Gift of Presence. The Perils of Advice highlights the common mistake of trying to help people when they often only need our presence.

In today’s conversation, Parker shares his views about our culture and democracy, how leaders can avoid burnout, and a simple practice for building resilient communities at the beginning of every staff meeting.

About Parker J. Palmer:

Parker J. Palmer is the founder and Senior Partner Emeritus at the Center for Courage and Renewal. He holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of California at Berkeley, thirteen honorary doctorates, two Distinguished Achievement Awards from the National Educational Press Association, and an Award of Excellence from the Associated Church Press.

Palmer is the author of ten books, including several award-winning titles, that have sold nearly two million copies and been translated into ten languages.

Key Takeaways:

[3:29] Parker talks about the purpose and mission of the Center of Courage and Renewal.

[6:02] Parker describes what he calls his ‘red thread’.

[9:25] Parker discusses the role of conflict in compassionate accountability.

[12:52] What is happening with conflict in our society?

[15:43] What kind of internal work do humans need to do to see abundance in relationships rather than scarcity?

[18:41] Parker shares the five habits of the heart for democracy to function.

[24:49] Parker talks about leadership and presence in the context of burnout.

[29:33] Parker shares his advice to leaders.

[31:59] What is life trying to teach Parker now?

Mentioned in this episode:

The Compassion Mindset

Compassionate Accountability: How Leaders Build Connection and Get Results, Nate Regier

Visit Next-Element

The Gift of Presence. The Perils of Advice, Parker J. Palmer.

POETRY + PROSE + POLITICS: Pro-democracy, Pro-civil discourse, Pro-decency

Tweetables:

“Our Education system educates people largely on external realities, and they are rarely taught on their inner journeys, their psyches, and souls.” — Parker Palmer #oncompassion

“If you choose to live an unexamined life, please do not take a job that involves working with other people.” — Parker Palmer #oncompassion

“Conflict demands that we let go of internal narcissism to understand others deeper.” — Parker Palmer #oncompassion

“By working together, we create abundance.” — Parker Palmer #oncompassion

“The more you know about someone’s story, the less possible it is to despise or dismiss them, which builds compassion and can be done in the workplace.” — Parker Palmer #oncompassion

“Knowing the ground in which you are standing is called presence.”— Parker Palmer #oncompassion