Power Play: Shoot for humane, not human

There’s a big difference between being human and being humane. Humane comes with a giant serving of compassion, sympathy and tolerance. It’s easy to be human: we’re born that way.

To be humane is to understand what it must feel like for the other person and to leave the judgement at home. Power Players tend to be a little more humane than the rest of us.

Before deciding that their point of view is the justified one, they try (and usually succeed) to see it from the alternate point of view. This is especially true when it comes to people with whom they have a hard time coming to an agreement.

Humane means going the extra mile in the decency stakes and most Power Players do this naturally without any prompting.

At that moment when you stop feeling compassion see if there isn’t something you’ve overlooked or if you’re being too harsh in your attitude. In other words, shoot for humane.