The Finale: Bringing It All Together
Photo credit to Misha Safran, Canva, with Logo credit to Misha Safran & Christi Williford
Will You Be the Reason Someone Feels They Belong?
Over the last eight weeks, we've walked together through the core emotional intelligence skills that fuel compassionate leadership: awareness, empathy, regulation, courage, presence, and care. At every step, we’ve explored how small, intentional acts can shape culture—not through perfection, but through practice.
This week, we bring it all together. Compassionate leadership isn’t about a title or a single decision—it’s about who we choose to be every day. It’s asking: How do people feel after they’ve been in a room with me? Do they feel seen, respected, uplifted? And just as importantly: How do I feel about myself? Do I feel seen, respected, uplifted?
When we reflect on our own emotional landscape, respond with empathy, check our assumptions, and prioritize repair over retreat—we don’t just talk about inclusion. We live it. The ripple you create, even through one intentional choice, may be exactly what someone else needed to feel they belong.
💜 Quick Tips (and Why They Matter) 💜
🌊 Adopt a “ripple mindset.” You don’t need grand gestures to make a big impact. Listening deeply, apologizing thoughtfully, or inviting a quiet voice to speak up can echo far beyond what you see.
🔁 Choose one EQ practice to sustain. Pick the one that moved you most over these nine weeks—daily check-ins, intentional pauses, naming emotions—and commit to it for 30 more days. Small consistency leads to big growth. If you need reminders, it's totally okay to go back and re-read some of the previous letters.
🗝 Keep the invitation open. In meetings or moments of tension, ask: “Is there something I’m missing?” This keeps the door to belonging open, even in moments of misunderstanding.
🌿 Why has writing on inclusion and belonging been so important to me?
I’ve been othered or excluded in one way or another for much of my life—so much so that I began to lose parts of myself, either to conformity or self-rejection. As a child, I was teased and belittled for a variety of reasons. As an adult, I was told I was idealistic like there was something wrong with that and immature because I laughed easily. It eventually felt like there was nothing about me that was okay—except maybe two things: I could sing, and I could care for others. Those were the gifts I was praised for, and they helped keep me afloat.
In time, through great mentors, self-work, and healing, I came to love and embrace all of who I am—not just the parts others approved of. I now live with self-love and tremendous joy. I don’t just feel a sense of belonging—I know how to create it. And I want that for others, too.
💭 Reflection Questions: Take some time to respond to the following questions and if you're willing, find someone you trust with whom you can share your replies - not for them to respond or to judge you but to listen and hold space for you as you take this next step in your compassionate leadership.
How have I shifted in the way I show up for others—and for myself—through this series?
What ripple do I want to keep creating in my workplace, relationships, or leadership?
If you’re feeling discouraged or isolated, please know: you’re not alone—and there are ways forward. If you’re a compassionate leader who recognizes that these are real challenges in your workplace, know this too: change is possible. And you don’t have to do it alone.
Let’s talk about how we can create more belonging, together.
With deep gratitude, empathy, and joy,
Misha Safran, MA, PCC, she/they
PS: Emotional intelligence doesn’t end here—it deepens with practice. Let’s continue your team’s journey with trainings, coaching, or keynotes rooted in inclusive, compassionate leadership. Book a FREE consultation to discuss how I can help you and/or your team build everyday habits of emotional intelligence that elevate inclusion and belonging: https://calendly.com/authentic_joy/speaking-inquiry-with-keynote-speaker-misha-safran
PPS. The next series for the Compassionate Leader called, "What Does It Really Mean to Be a Fit for Corporate?" begins next week. I look forward to your continued engagement!
Land Acknowledgement: Born on the land of the Anacostans, Piscataway, and Pamunkey peoples. Currently living on Karkin Ohlone land.
All are valued in my practice: BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, humans of all backgrounds and ages. Through sharing my pronouns, I hope to support a safer and braver space for all professionals to share their pronouns.
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