10 Empathic Qualities to Build in Leadership.

Empathy in leaders is perhaps the greatest differentiation between those that excel in leadership and the rest. It requires us to be soft yet strong, to be humble yet firm and to put ourselves second to the needs of others. Yet the prize when people sense an empathic approach to leadership cannot be overstated. The resultant impact on engagement and motivation levels is huge and transforms individual levels of contribution and performance from doing what they have to to get by, to doing what they are capable of because they want to. When colleagues operate in an empathic environment then they feel they are being treated like human beings who make a difference, not simply a headcount.

We should also never mistake empathic leadership for an approach which is associated with weakness. Precisely the opposite. Empathic leaders are much more equipped at dealing with performance because they are in tune with where the issues are and what is causing the issue in the first place - they do not simply link the words "problem." & "people." immediately without first understanding both and their drivers.

In my experience, these are the areas that leaders should look to address if they want to develop such an approach. We have no purpose in leadership other than serving the needs and inspiring the actions of those around us to a higher place. When we pick up the gauntlet thrown down by developing these areas as leaders we accept the challenge to truly deliver against this purpose....... It always starts with us, and its starts with empathic listening.......

I hope this is helpful to somebody.

1. Develop empathic listening Skills

Pro-actively seek the input, opinions and views of others and appreciate that people feel engaged if they can contribute and they are genuinely listened to. This happens when colleagues see action based on their input contributions. Empathic listening is the highest and most enriching form, it requires us to listen with all of our senses, not just their ears. Learn to assess body language and behaviours as much as language. It ultimately requires us to see things from others perspective, not just our own and be focused in the moment. Is a hugely powerful, but often elusive skill in the busy fast paced modern world. It biggest requirement is a proper investment of time and a quality environment.

2. Understand the balance between a kind heart and strong action.

Have the inner assurance to realise kindness is not weakness. Develop the balance between flexibility and discretion and apply intelligently to gain trust, and inspire others to achieve more in the workplace. Become a net giver, not a net taker and be quite happy to allow others to take credit first. Deploy inner strength of personality and intrinsic values to take responsibility and then allow others to develop and deliver. Emapthic Leaders define strength by how far they are prepared to trust and empower, not be what they control. Learn to devolve decision making within defined parameters and create the appropriate checks and balances.

3. Grow an adaptable and agile mindset

Appreciate that in a VUCA world things will change and will adapt. Learn to adjust approach through sensing the mood and energy of a team. Be prepared to accept that because your plan is right today it may not be right in the future. To hold, reflect and adjust based on team input is not a sign of weakness' it is a sign of agility and will lead to higher levels of engagement with colleagues in delivery of objectives. Emapthic leaders learn to adjust and adapt whilst remaining focused on an end vision of what they want to achieve..

4. Being Altruistic

To be selfless in leadership is a hugely powerful statement. Firstly build the awareness and understanding to see when people need help and the actively volunteer it. The supportive shoulder is far more inspiring than an angry boot. When we learn to put others first and care about there well being as people, not just employees we engage with people at a very fundamental level. The loyalty returned by colleagues when they receive help and support to overcome difficulty is priceless, putting others will payback many times over.

5. An inclusive approach.

Developing formal and informal opportunities to create team based culture and thinking is a key objective for empathic leaders. The more simple and down to earth the better. Create a heartbeat of regular formal reviews to align and share objectives and challenges is very simply - but hugely effective. A colleague once told me on a Friday he dedicated half an hour to letting colleagues talk about their coming weekend over a cup of coffee and a cake, absolutely no work talk, is so simple but was very effective. There are many other ways, we just need to think empathically.

6. Become more self aware and develop reflective skills

Understanding how you are perceived by others and the impact you have on colleagues is hugely important in empathic leadership - actively seek dialogue which gives you feedback and try to act on it by modifying actions. Also invest time in a process of self reflection where you identify honestly what went well and what did not. Colleagues that see that behaviour in leaders will apply it to their own circumstances. A growth mindset is built on these principles.

7. Have a considered approach - especially under pressure.

learning to be under control of your mental process' and physical responses to situations is a critically important quality to build. We cannot control events or people, nor should we try. What we should do is aim to control our responses. The damage done by petulant or aggressive behaviour under these circumstances can very often not be undone and way outlasts the event itself, People need to see leaders can handle themselves well under pressure, otherwise why should they?

8. Understand and live your principles.

Empathic leadership demands us to be very clear on our principles and use them as a moral compass to navigate through situations and circumstances. Write them down. These principles will be grounded around respect, dignity and humility. Living those principles in every minute of our interactions then becomes the objective. We are all faced with many situations where that can be challenged, unless we are clear on they are we have little chance of demonstrating them.

9. Value diversity of thought.

Learn to understand there is very rarely one solution to anything and all individuals have a diversity of experience and knowledge that can build better solutions. Is prepared to explore scenario. The skill of drawing out input and contributions from individuals starts with people feeling they are valued and they trust your response. Then align this environment with intelligent open questioning. The collective contribution of diversity of thought will far outweigh your individual views. The superhero approach is for comics - not for optmising team contributions.

10. Have a purpose outside of yourself.

By driven by a cause that is really important to you, other than your own career development. That will come as a product of success. If we are passionate and driven then our energy, resolve and commitment will be seen through our authenticity. Empathic leaders combine purpose, principles and skills to generate high levels of authenticity in action. When that is delivered engagement of colleagues follows as they they what is truly important to you - purpose is our fuel tank - Put in the tank the highest quality fuel you can.

Empathic Leadership is the highest level of approach a leader can aspire to. It is also not easy and requires huge levels of personal skill, application and willingness to learn and grow as an individual. Yet that should not stop us trying. Even if we improve in certain aspects only we, and most importantly those we are privileged to lead will have more enriched lives because of it. It is also why embarking on a life in leadership is so rewarding. If the purrpose of leadership is to serve the needs and inspire the actions of others then we need to start by seeing and feeling things from others perspective.

Thoughts, comments and shares are always appreciated.