Leading with Empathy

“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." – Maya Angelou

Take a moment to think of a leader who made a lasting impact on you. If you were to list all the characteristics that made them a great leader, chances are most of them are related to how they made you feel. Heard. Respected. Valued. In other words, the key to effective leadership isn’t what you know or even what you achieve – it’s leading with empathy.

Empathetic leadership prioritizes connection and builds trust. It acknowledges the experiences of others and considers diverse perspectives. This ensures that those you lead feel seen, resulting in improved engagement and morale, and increased motivation to contribute their best work.

Like most leadership skills, empathy requires intentionality and practice. So here are three things you can do to become a more empathetic leader:

1. Practice active and empathetic listening. Create a safe space for honest conversations. Ask open-ended questions and paraphrase what you hear to confirm understanding. Recognize the emotions of others and validate their experience.

2. Seek to understand the perspective of others. Avoid making assumptions or judgments and approach conversations from a place of genuine curiosity. When making decisions, consider the impact on others and regularly ask for input and feedback.

3. Demonstrate authentic care. Pay attention to non-verbal communication and check in with people about their feelings. Provide honest feedback to foster growth and ask how you can support them.

In a world driven by profits and performance, it’s easy to lose sight of the humanity of the people behind the work. But effective leaders know that the impact of their leadership is determined by the relationships they build with those they lead. So lead with intention – lead with empathy.