There’s a scene in the Wonder Woman movie that sends a chill up my spine every time I see it. It’s when she leaves the safety of the trench, climbs the ladder and stands alone in No Man’s Land. She’s ready to take on the army in front of her and save a village.
Wonder Woman possesses a clear focus and determination to do more for others and it’s her compassion that gives her superpowers meaning. Every time I think of it, this scene inspires me to help others in need and be a more compassionate leader.
Compassion Makes Connections
I always believe we can do so much more when we work together. We share our experiences, our ideas, and sometimes our resources to overcome roadblocks. This strengthens communication and builds a stronger personal and professional network. When we lead with compassion, we make meaningful connections with others.
Everyone on the Pinstripe team believes this to be true. Nikki is a great example of a compassionate leader, who continues to work with Leadership St. Pete, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Society for Marketing Professional Services Tampa Bay, and other non-profits. She’s donates her time and experience to build a stronger community, while developing professional relationships that will carry her throughout her career.
Authenticity – The Desire to Help
Compassion is more than empathy, because it requires action. It’s an authentic desire to help. It’s why I believe in giving back to our community and supporting Ad 2 Tampa Bay and recognize their most outstanding member each year.
I also feel this way with all of our clients. I want to know more about them and what they do, so I can help them achieve their goals.
Compassion is also a necessary element when creating marketing messages. We want to reach audiences in meaningful ways, never demeaning or negative. I believe that we do have the ability to be inclusive when creating messages that don’t sound generic or inauthentic. This will build positive relationships that last.
It’s not surprising to me that consumers are spending more on socially responsible products and services than ever before. They are rewarding brands through loyalty and word-of-mouth recommendations. Social media has contributed to this upswing and extended the reach of local and regional brands, bringing them into the national spotlight.
Compassion Is Strength
In every superhero movie, the bad guys lack empathy and lead through fear. In the end they always fail (except in Infinity War, but I’m sure that will work itself out). Fear doesn’t inspire. It exploits power over people. Today’s consumer doesn’t want to feel that they are being manipulated through deceptive and intrusive marketing practices.
Just like Wonder Woman, compassion can help us overcome our fears and self-doubt. It makes us feel better about ourselves while growing our network of friends and colleagues. Being a compassionate leader requires the confidence and ability to act. These are signs of strength, not weakness.
This article is part of a series on how Wonder Woman inspires our marketing philosophy. Throughout the year, we will be featuring more on this topic, so let us know how you feel about it.
