Dr. Nathan Regier is delighted to be joined by Massimo Backus who has dedicated her career to helping leaders to bring more compassion into their lives, his purpose is to help others achieve their maximum potential and impact both personally and professionally as leaders. Massimo believes that self-compassion is the foundational common denominator of effective leadership.

Massimo Vacas is a certified professional coach, a powerful speaker, and has expertise in organizational behavior psychology, emotional intelligence, and team dynamics.

What’s in this Episode

• Massimo shares his definition of self-compassion
• Why is self-compassion relevant to leadership?
• How do we reconcile servant-leadership and self-compassion?
• How did your personal journey bring you to this place?
• How is self-compassion different from empathy or mindfulness?
• Learn about the six on-ramps to self-compassion for leaders

Key Takeaways:

[2:22] Massimo talks about his company, what he does, and what he is currently dedicating his efforts to.

[3:33] How does Massimo define self-compassion?

[4:18] Massimo lists the elements of self-compassion.

[5:17] What is the research telling us about leadership and self-compassion?

[6:35] Massimo addresses the paradox between leaders serving and practicing self-compassion.

[9:48] Often leaders find themself in a place where they are not comfortable being with their own struggle and as a result, they continue looking outward.

[10:57] Massimo speaks of the challenges frequently presented by our own internal narratives.

[12:59] Massimo shares some of his own journey and personal work.

[18:09] How is self-compassion different from mindfulness or empathy?

[20:27] Dr. Nate talks about how compassion and empathy are related.

[24:20] Dr. Nate shares how powerful is people’s responses to someone being vulnerable.

[25:32] What are the myths about the meaning of self-compassion?

[28:26] Stay curious!

[29:21] Massimo shares an example of how he works with leaders toward reaching self-compassion.

[33:28] Massimo talks about how leaders tend to feel alone in their challenges.

[36:53] Dr. Nate shares the top key takeaways from an amazing conversation with Massimo Backus.

 

Mentioned in this episode:

The Compassion Mindset

Learn more about Massimo Backus

The Leadership Mind Podcast with Massimo Backus

 

Tweetables:

“Leaders need to learn how to take care of themselves.” #oncompassion 

 

“In order to be able to serve, a leader must be at his best, and that can only be reached by practicing self-compassion.” #oncompassion 

 

“Our emotions are data.” #oncompassion 

 

“It takes curiosity to empathize.” #oncompassion