7 Steps To Empathetic Leadership

What type of leader are you?  Transformational or Transactional, Democratic or Autocratic, Strategic or Laissez-Faire, Bureaucratic or Charismatic.  All these types have their pros and cons, and all need to demonstrate empathy in the workplace.  Are you an empathetic leader?

This time last year there was a 72% spike in the use of the word empathy which illuminated our innate need to receive empathy across all facets of our lives.  We want our feelings and concerns heard, and if possible, understood but certainly respected.  Wise leaders understand or at least are prepared to understand the value proposition of leading with empathy and the outcomes that are to be gained from doing so.

58% of leaders struggle to consistently act with empathy and albeit one of the more difficult skills to master it is a skill that can be learned.  So, let us first understand what empathy is and is not.  It is not sympathy, which is 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 and putting yourself in their shoes to intellectually understand their feelings.  2. Emotional – this is the ability to directly feel the emotions and experience of the other person which usually comes about from a shared experience. 3. And Compassionate - this is the act of feeling concerned for the other party and then taking action to relieve them of their “pain”.  To be an effective Empathetic Leader you need to practice cognitive and compassionate empathy, and in some instances, you may be able to also offer emotional empathy. 

So, what are the positive gains to be made by demonstrating effective empathetic leadership qualities?  Expressing empathy builds trust and strengthens loyalties resulting in improved employee retention rates and an improved Employee Brand.  Both result in improved talent acquisition rates and the quality of talent a business will attract.  An empathetic leader will also build stronger teams with deeper connections and levels of engagement resulting in increased productivity.  Teams will feel empowered to push through performance barriers and positively impact a business’s profitability.  78% of employees are more willing to work longer hours for an Empathetic Leader.   

Here are some 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 of your team members and how they communicate. 
4.  Understand your own communication style and your strengths, and weaknesses. 
5. Do not be critical, instead be constructive and show humility admitting to your failings and short comings. 
6. Always start and end a conversation on a positive note.
7.  Make yourself available to your team members ‘always’.  You will be amazed at how much value this holds for them.