Leading With Empathy: Building Stronger Connections

Think about some of your best experiences outside of work. Who were you with? What made it special? Now, think about some of your best professional experiences. Many of us spend a lot of time working whether in-person, remote, or in a hybrid setting. No matter the environment, I firmly believe creating meaningful connections, and understanding the diverse needs of your colleagues is paramount to lasting success. At the heart of this approach lies a critical skill: empathy.

Empathy in leadership has the ability to improve communication, contribute to engagement within organizations, and encourage inclusivity. Gallup, a global analytics advisory firm, has conducted extensive research on the importance of empathy in leadership and its impact on organizational performance. Two major factors stand out to me from the information gathered by Gallup, and that is Team Performance and Well-Being.

Empathy and Team Performance

Personnel who feel their leaders and managers care, are more likely to contribute to the company’s culture in a positive way and they are less likely to leave. Empathy contributes to a more collaborative environment where team members feel comfortable sharing ideas and learning from mistakes. This leads to higher levels of innovation and helps to build high-performing teams.

Empathy and Well-Being

Gallup's research on employee well-being shows that employees who feel their leaders care about them are more likely to report better overall well-being, both inside and outside of work. This sounds like a lot of responsibility on the end of the leader, knowing that your individual engagement is correlated to job and life satisfaction. While being empathic is important, your role is not to absorb the stress of everyone or fix each problem. Understanding empathy is also understanding resources and setting realistic expectations. It is essential to recognize the balance between showing empathy and maintaining accountability.  

One Step Further: Empathy is a word we use, but there is more than one type of empathy. Generally, there are three types of empathy: Cognitive Empathy, Emotional Empathy, and Compassionate (or Empathetic Concern) Empathy. All three work together to help us build relationships and connect with one another but each are different. The people we feel the most connected to often can express all three types of empathy.

Additional Resource: Kim Scott is the author of “Radical Candor” a book that focuses on effective leadership and management through open, honest communication. The book offers a framework for building strong relationships, providing open and honest feedback, and fostering a culture of trust and collaboration within teams.

As you navigate through the next few days, think about your personal and work interactions and how empathy can be shown to those who need it. As always, I am wishing you the best.