Employee satisfaction and morale are important factors contributing to the success of any business. Leaders need to understand and help address the needs of their teams in order to maintain a positive and productive environment—and establish trust and loyalty among team members.
Empathetic leadership requires you to put yourself in the shoes of your team members: to view the world from their perspective, to understand how their work environment affects them, and to adjust accordingly. It also means being sensitive to each team member’s specific needs, whether it’s a flexible schedule or the opportunity to hone new skills though a company-provided learning platform. But in order to lead with empathy, you must practice active listening, foster open communication, consider issues from a variety of positions, show appreciation to individuals, and be a role model.
This discussion will explore the concept of empathetic leadership, the characteristics of an empathetic leader, and the influence empathy can have on the workplace.
