What happens when there’s no more room to work harder?
Fierce compassion is a research-based, iterative process for executives, innovators, and organisations to reach new edges of creativity and growth.
Developed by Dr. Mary Miller
It’s those times when…
Your perfectionism and aiming for excellence is laced with self-criticism and the anxiety makes taking creative or necessary risks no longer seem wise
You ask yourself how else you can develop your team in their productivity outside of traditional models of harder and hustle (because their humanity is important, too)
Or when…
You experience staff who are unthoughtful or unskillful in their speech and it’s causing damage, or
People are holding back out of fear of offending others, and
You wonder whether you really want a team that’s constantly staying after hours, damaging their personal lives, and depleting their reserves
Much more than “being nice,” Fierce Compassion elevates how you lead.
Compassion in the workplace has proven results like:
Increased wellbeing: reduced heart rate, blood pressure, and cortisol
Decreased sick leave, absenteeism, and high achiever burnout
A greater sense of meaning, purpose, and that work matters
Increased staff retention and job satisfaction
Increased staff positivity and organisational loyalty
A culture of safety and inclusivity
Increased innovation, effectiveness, and creativity
How? You ask.
By practicing wise, values-based action and amplifying the link between compassion for self and compassion for others.
“Fierce Compassion for me is about being able to slow down, find space and observe.”
It's about getting outside of yourself and the problem and creating that distance to see objectively, and then map possible useful actions. It encourages energy to go into the right places.
Heath Lowe, Executive Design Director, Special
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
Cultivate awareness, empathy, and dynamic wise action.
Coaching
Much more than “being nice,” Fierce Compassion elevates how you lead with vital skills for the future of leadership.
Over a series of sessions we’ll:
Establish a process of space making you can return to, no matter the challenges you face
Cultivate empathy and deep compassion as a foundation for radical innovation
Practice wise action in real-time, with real issues
Embed the process and expand your results
What’s your story?
I’m currently interviewing leaders for stories about compassion (or lack of compassion!).
Perhaps you had a mentor or boss who showed you understanding and empathy when you needed it most?
Maybe you’ve experienced what can happen when you reach out to a colleague with compassion?
Or sometimes, on reflection you recognise what a difference it would have made if you, your loved ones, your colleagues and your work environments were responding to challenges with compassion.
Whatever your experiences of compassion are - join me for a friendly chat to explore this powerful leadership tool and potentially be profiled in my upcoming book, Fierce Compassion for Leadership & Life.
Workshops & Talks
Understand the Fierce Compassion model and begin applying it to a specific area of your organisation.
Areas to explore:
Fear of Failure & Fear of Success
When Self Criticism is Self Limiting
People Pleasing, Helpful Boundaries, and Saying No
Self-defeating Self Doubt (personal favourite!)
Making Wholehearted Decisions
“Fierce Compassion is about finding equilibrium.”
Fierce Compassion is a framework - and once you've got that framework, it's much easier than to go okay, well, I'm being pulled this way or that way or that way, and here are some techniques for being able to rebalance.”
Dan Heyworth, Founder, Box
ABOUT DR. MARY MILLER, Executive Coach
Fierce Compassion first emerged through my clinical practice working with senior medical professionals and managers. I saw how traits like perfectionism often came with intense self-criticism and poor mental health, even though the rest of the world praised them for what they achieved.
As we worked together, I saw over and over again how practicing a multi-dimensional form of compassion and inner strength (what I now call Fierce Compassion) allowed these leaders to open new doors inside themselves and amplify their contributions within their organisation.
A richer, connected, more fulfilling professional life? That’s what I want for you.
Dr. Mary Miller currently runs mental wellbeing & resilience workshops through her company Mind Therapy. Registered to practice as a Clinical Psychologist in New Zealand/Aotearoa, she co-owns a clinic called Therapy Space in Auckland, New Zealand. She’s also worked for the Auckland District Health Board and a number of private clinic settings. Dr. Mary has worked with SKY TV, Reuters Thompson, the international engineering firm Norman Disney Young, and Auckland University, and she’s lectured at the Auckland University of Technology.
Press Pause
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“Dr. Mary’s presentation style built instant rapport with our participants, inspiring them to fully engage with the learning.”
She has the intuitive ability to identify areas of need within the group and responds with appropriate strategies and support by scaffolding and modelling the strategies she proposes. Her great depth of knowledge, sincere friendliness, and research informed ideas contribute to the popularity of her workshops.
— Vijay Bhagwandhin, The University of Auckland