October 15, 2024

Episode 111: Human First, Leader Second: Fostering Self-Compassion in the Workplace with Massimo Backus

In this episode of The Future of Teamwork, Dane sits down with Massimo Backus, author of Human First, Leader Second, and founder of Massimo Backus Leadership. Massimo shares his journey of discovering self-compassion after a humbling experience in leadership and how that shaped how he now approaches leadership with self-awareness and self-compassion. Massimo advocates for emotional fluency within teams. He argues that when teams can freely express emotions, the emotions pass more quickly, helping people make clearer, more thoughtful decisions. They also reflect on the evolution of leadership, noting how we’ve been conditioned by industrial-era mindsets to always strive for progress even though we’re human. Listen to learn how self-compassion, accountability, and open dialogue can foster healthier, more productive workplaces.

Human First, Leader Second: Fostering Self-Compassion in the Workplace with Massimo Backus

Guest Bio

 Massimo Backus is the author of Human First, Leader Second: How Self-Compassion Outperforms Self-Criticism. As an executive coach, facilitator, and speaker, Massimo champions the revolutionary mindset that self-compassion is a leadership epiphany. His approach challenges traditional leadership norms by emphasizing the importance of being human first and a leader second. With over fifteen years in talent development, Massimo has worked with more than 3,000 leaders in companies like Cisco, Accenture, and Amazon. He holds degrees in Psychology and Organizational Psychology from Claremont Graduate University. Massimo is also an award-winning documentary filmmaker, passionate father, and husband.

Key Takeaways

Key Takeaways:

00:00 Introduction to the Future of Teamwork
02:06 Massimo’s Journey to Self-Compassion
04:09 The Power of Self-Compassion in Leadership
09:00 Implementing Self-Compassion in Teams
19:45 Practical Tips for Team Check-Ins
25:05 Embracing Vulnerability and Humanity
26:47 The Evolution of Work and Social Contracts
29:34 Self-Awareness and Self-Acceptance
32:14 Challenges of Servant Leadership
34:19 Personal Accountability in the Workplace
41:17 The Importance of Transparency
43:29 Developing Self-Compassion Skills
46:49 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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