This article originally appeared on hbr.org.

It’s hard for many of us to feel in control as the global pandemic drags on. And yet, many business leaders nonetheless feel a tremendous amount of guilt about the impact Covid-19 has had on employees and customers, from layoffs and closures to disruptions in service. Leaders understand that corporate action can lead to personal turmoil, whether it’s the loss of health insurance for a laid-off employee with underlying conditions, the new inability to care for the special need of a child, or an increased risk of eviction.

Guilt is an upsetting emotion to reckon with. But it’s also a sign that you’re a conscientious leader. In my work consulting with hundreds of responsible, caring, and thoughtful leaders, I’ve learned that you can transform that pang of guilt into a trigger to help you reevaluate and improve the way you approach your employees and company, and demonstrate compassionate leadership in difficult circumstances. Here are six ways to do it.

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Onward and upward —

LK