31: How to Do Hard Things in a Human Way, with Rasmus Hougaard, Founder and CEO, Potential Project
Apr 26, 2022
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Rasmus Hougaard, founder of Potential Project, shares his mission to create a more human world of work. He reframes the great resignation as an opportunity for compassion. Self-compassion and getting enough sleep are fundamental to resiliency.
Compassionate leadership is essential for creating a more human work environment.
The Great Resignation can be reimagined as an opportunity for leaders to practice compassion and attract new talent.
Deep dives
The Concept of Day Zero
Day Zero represents the moment before company formation, where founders decide to pursue their vision of change.
The Three Strands That Led to the Founding of Potential Project
Ross Moose's decision to start Potential Project was influenced by his disillusionment with the Western model of success, his experience working in a stressful corporate environment, and his training in meditation and mindfulness in Nepal and India.
What is Potential Project?
Potential Project is a global company that offers research, leadership development, and consulting services to help create a more humane work environment, where individuals can truly be themselves, feel cared for, and experience personal and professional growth.
The Importance of Wise Compassion and Female Leadership
The combination of wise compassion, which blends care for others with tough decision-making, leads to the most effective leadership. Furthermore, research shows that female leaders tend to demonstrate this style more effectively than their male counterparts, leading to better outcomes and higher job satisfaction for their teams.
Rasmus Hougaard is the Founder and Managing Partner of the Potential Project. He is the author of “The Mind of the Leader,” “One Second Ahead,” and recently published “Compassionate Leadership: How to Do Hard Things in a Human Way.” Rasmus is also a contributor for the Harvard Business Review, Forbes and Business Insider. He received a Master’s degree in Organization and Behavior Studies from Roskilde University.
Key Insights:
Rasmus Hougaard is on a mission to create a more human world of work.
Behind the Why. While working for a large corporation, Rasmus realized that many of his coworkers were burned out, drained of creativity, and not living up to their potential. Armed with meditation and other practices he learned from Buddhist traditions, Rasmus set out to found the Potential Project and change the working world. (1:02)
Rethinking the Great Resignation. An unprecedented number of employees are quitting, or considering quitting. Rasmus reframes this as an opportunity for leaders to be compassionate to their existing employees, and a chance to attract new talent. (19:32)
Get Enough Sleep. Get enough sleep and make time for yourself. Self-compassion is fundamental to resiliency. Before you can take care of others, and the world, you need to take care of yourself. (25:30)
This episode is hosted by Gary Bisbee, Ph.D. He is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Think Medium.