How to Develop More Compassionate Leadership Qualities

Nurture self-confidence and self-trust in others through human-centered leadership

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I remember it like it happened yesterday– trembling on the edge of the diving board, staring into the cobalt depths of the pool below.

I heard the voices yelling, “hurry up and jump already!” I wished I could, just so they’d stop. I was so embarrassed about being afraid to jump, and their impatience only intensified my feelings of shame and terror. I just stood there, petrified.

The next thing I knew, two hands jammed under my armpits from behind… and suddenly I was underwater.

I scrambled to get oriented and kick myself up to the surface. As my head escaped the suffocating water and I clambered to the edge, I choked so hard I nearly vomited. My throat and nose felt like they were on fire from the chlorine I had inhaled. I hadn’t even had a chance to hold my breath before being thrown.

I was 9 years old.

This was my 4th-grade swim class. The one they bussed us to the high school for. The one that I had been so excited for, ever since finding out we got to go use the pool like the big kids.