Integrating Compassion Into Military Decision-Making: The Contribution of Multidimensional Awareness to the Development of Coping Appraisals

Decision-making is a fundamental responsibility of leadership, yet much of the existing research focuses primarily on cognitive elements such as knowledge, motives, reasoning, and intentions. Less attention has been given to how compassion is integrated into organizational decision-making, particularly within high-stakes environments like the military. This dissertation in practice explores the relationship between systems-informed coping appraisals and the enactment of compassion in decision-making, as experienced by retired general and flag officers during their active-duty service in the United States military. Using a qualitative, reflexive thematic analysis of leader narratives, the study addresses the research question: How do systems-informed coping appraisals influence the emergence of compassion in decision-making processes among military leaders? Insights gathered through audio-recorded interviews led to the development of a new conceptual model for integrating compassion into leadership decision-making. This model visually and theoretically illustrates how self-awareness, social awareness, and situational awareness converge into multi-dimensional awareness, generating positive coping appraisals. The framework offers a pathway for empowering leaders to act with wisdom, resilience, clarity, and compassion in complex operational environments.Keywords: compassionate leadership, decision-making, coping appraisals, multi-dimensional awareness, emotional intelligence, United States military

Grantor dc:publisher

Creighton University

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Riley, Leanne, Rose

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Logan, Todd

• compassionate leadership
• coping appraisals
• decision-making
• emotional intelligence
• multi-dimensional awareness
• United States military

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright is retained by the Author. A non-exclusive distribution right is granted to Creighton University and to ProQuest following the publishing model selected above.

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Repository record dc:identifier.uri

https://cdr.creighton.edu/handle/10504/161565

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:cdr.creighton.edu:10504/161565