The Power of Leading with Empathy

Strength & Empathy can coexist

In today’s dynamic world and hyper-competitive environment, leaders need to be both strong and lead with empathy and compassion. It is not a question of one or the other, but a
combination of both that creates lasting bonds with employees, stakeholders and engenders engagement, loyalty and fulfillment.

A 2019 US study revealed 57 per cent of employees quit because of their boss. Another 14 per cent have left multiple jobs because of their managers and an additional 32 per cent have seriously considered leaving because of their manager. This suggests companies could be looking in the wrong place as they search for opportunities to attract, retain and grow talent.

Human Bonds matter

With increased employee turnover, the Great Resignation and active job hopping, can leading with empathy and kindness, help retain talent, build engagement and enduring relationships and positively impact employee satisfaction and corporate profitability? It is no surprise that happier employees produce more and help develop happier customers.

A well-known Google study – titled Project Aristotle – on building the perfect team proved human bonds matter as much at work as anywhere else. An effective way to deal with difficult situations and/or difficult people is to lead with authenticity, assertiveness and empathy. People will forget what you said or did to them, but they will always remember how you made them feel.

The best teams are where team members and leaders listen to each other and show sensitivity and empathy to feelings and needs. Sometimes the easiest and most effective things are also
the simplest-be human, be empathetic and be nice. The rest will fall into place.

The other argument worthy of demystifying is the notion an empathic, ‘soft’ leader cannot be strong and bold. That is not true. In fact, quite the opposite. Leaders that score high on empathy, kindness and emotional intelligence are more impactful, have higher engagement scores and produce endearing team members that go above and beyond and remain loyal and committed to the vision and goals of the leader and the organization.

The Importance of Balancing Strength and Empathy in Leadership: Effective leadership is a delicate Strength is vital for decision-making, setting goals, and holding people accountable. On the other hand, empathy allows leaders to understand the needs and concerns of their employees, create a positive work environment, and build trust and loyalty. To achieve this balance, leaders should first consider empathy as a strength. It allows them to connect with their employees, understand their perspectives, and inspire them to achieve their goals. Moreover, empathy helps leaders to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, and make fair decisions.

Another way to balance strength and empathy is to lead by example. When leaders treat their employees with respect, kindness, and empathy, they create a culture of compassion and collaboration. This, in turn, leads to increased job satisfaction, engagement, and productivity.

The Simplest and Most Effective Way to Lead: Be Human, Be Empathetic, Be Nice: Empathy is the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes, understand their perspective, and respond with kindness and compassion. By showing empathy, leaders can build trust, foster loyalty, and create a positive work environment.

Being nice is not a weakness, but a strength. It means to treat people with kindness, respect, and courtesy, regardless of their position or status. By being nice, leaders can create a culture of kindness and positivity that inspires people to do their best work.

Read the insightful article below by Carina (Marasco) Parisella for details. Also huge shout out to New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern for leading by example. Check out www.maximizeu.life to improve on your empathy and kindness skillset and perspective. #leadwithempathy #benice #humanbonds

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