3 Gains of Empathetic Leadership

Leaders - It’s important to marry empathetic leadership qualities with leadership style be because we all have an innate need to receive empathy across every facet of our lives.  We want our feelings and concerns heard and respected and if possible, understood and wise leaders are prepared to explore the value proposition of leading with empathy and the gains to be had.

58% of leaders struggle to consistently act with empathy and albeit a difficult skill to master it is one that can be learned by first understanding that it is not sympathy, or the feeling of pity for someone else, it is the ability to show understanding and the willingness to share the feelings of another person.   

There are 3 types of empathy:

1. Cognitive - this is the concept of taking the other person’s perspective to intellectually understand their feelings. 

2. Compassionate - this is the act of feeling concerned for another person and then taking action to relieve their “pain”. 

3. Emotional – this is the ability to directly feel the emotions and experience of the other person and usually comes with about from a shared experience.  Empathetic leaders will practice cognitive and compassionate empathy, and in some instances, may be able to offer emotional empathy. 

The positive gains to be made with empathy practices are:

1. Opportunities to build trust and strengthen loyalties with  improved employee retention and employee brand which lifts the quality and rates of talent attraction and acquisition.

2. Stronger teams with deeper connections and increased levels of engagement and productivity.

3. Empowered teams able to push through performance barriers and positively impact profitability - 78% of employees are willing to work longer hours for an empathetic leader.   

Here are 7 quick tips to get you started on your journey to leading with empathy:

1. Be quick to listen and slow to speak. 

2. Mirror the communication style of the person you are listening to. 

3. Understand the personality types communication styles of your. 

4.  Understand your own communication style, strengths, and weaknesses. 

5. Be constructive not critical and show humility in your failings and short comings. 

6. Always start and end a conversation on a positive note.

7.  Be available to your team ‘always’.