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A Passion for Compassion and Optimism: A Conversation with Bruno Cignacco and Victor Perton
The Centre for Optimism's latest "That Optimism Man" podcast episode brings together Victor Perton and Dr. Bruno Cignacco for an inspiring conversation rooted in the transformative synergy of compassion and optimism. Bruno, an international expert on compassionate business and author of The Art of Compassionate Business, shares his insights into how these values can reshape workplaces, foster stronger communities, and drive sustainable success.
When asked by Victor what makes him optimistic, Bruno responded passionately:
"I see a new generation of companies that are much more compassionate; they're much more human-oriented. This gives me much hope and optimism because these companies are betting on employee development and growth. These companies are betting on a better future. They have a sustainable approach, which means that they're caring not only for their profit; they're caring for the environment; they're caring for the communities, and they want to leave a better world for future generations. And this fills me with a lot of hope and optimism."
Bruno emphasises that the heart of compassionate business lies in recognising the value of people. He remarked, "The most important resource in business is not technology or funds, but the human being. Without the human mind, there wouldn't be new products, models, or innovations." His insights reveal that companies grounded in empathy, care, and mutual support aren't just ethically superior; they tend to outperform others by building trust, loyalty, and strong stakeholder relationships.
Victor complemented Bruno's perspective by exploring how optimism amplifies compassion's impact. He highlighted how an optimistic mindset can empower leaders and teams to turn challenges into opportunities, inspire trust, and create workplaces where people flourish.
Together, Bruno and Victor discussed practical strategies for embedding compassion and optimism into organisational culture, such as:
- Creating psychologically safe workplaces that support cooperation, creativity, and employee well-being.
- Fostering meaningful, long-term relationships with stakeholders that go beyond transactional interactions.
- Shifting from a profit-driven mindset to one of service, where generosity and gratitude create a positive value cycle for everyone involved.
Asked by Victor about the Optimism Effect, Bruno reflected on the powerful connection between optimism and continual improvement:
"If the company adopts a very optimistic view, it knows it can get even better. It can go beyond this. It can provide better products and services. It can treat customers even better. It always tries to look for opportunities for improvement because optimism is, in my view, very well connected to improvement, continual improvement. This means that you open your view and your awareness and are more likely to add increasing value to stakeholders."
This conversation is a call to action for leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers to embrace compassionate optimism—a mindset that inspires trust, strengthens bonds, and builds a brighter, more connected future. As Bruno aptly stated, "Generosity and gratitude create a positive cycle where value flows to all stakeholders. This is the way forward."
The Centre for Optimism invites you to listen to this enlightening discussion and reflect on how compassion and optimism can transform your life and work.
Listen to the full episode here
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