Empathetic leadership: Why it matters so much

During these stressful times, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. In the workplace, empathy can show deep respect for co-workers and show that we care, as opposed to just going by rules and regulations. An empathic leadership style can make everyone feel like a team and increase productivity, morale, and loyalty. Empathy is a powerful tool in the leadership belt of a well-liked and respected executive.

What does it mean to be an empathetic leader?

Being empathetic means being aware of your people's feelings and able to understand their own needs. Although it does not necessarily mean that you have to agree with their viewpoint, empathy means that you are willing to appreciate it.

Previously, traits such as empathy are regarded as signs of weakness - and therefore cannot be associated with leadership. This assumption is no longer the case now. These days, empathy is a critical leadership skill that is capable of making a huge difference in the workplace.

The importance of empathetic leadership

Ultimately, leadership is about uplifting others and inspiring them to take actions beyond their capabilities. Empathy is the foundation of such actions.

Below are 6 ways in which empathy may have an impact on your leadership journey:

1. Empathy creates bonds. By showing affection toward your followers, you establish a bond with them. This allows you to better understand their interests and perspective. The stronger the bond is, the more empowered your team becomes, and the more productivity you may expect.

2. Empathy gives insight. As a leader, we should all remember that the story we tell in our minds is not the same as that in the minds of others. Only through listening can we understand these differences. As we listen to another, we gain insights about who they are, and why they are here. In other words, empathy allows you to think before making any judgments or assumptions.

3. Empathy teaches presence:  Being present means listening attentively to your people - in other words, you place your complete focus on them and allow them to have their moment without any distraction. Empathy enables you to achieve exactly that. By putting others ahead of yourself, not only will you learn to be more patient, but you will also earn people's respect and dedication.

4. Empathy guides understanding:  It’s not always easy to understand why someone feels or thinks the way he/she does. People often react in ways that are surprising, and it may leave you clueless about how to respond. However, as a leader, it is not your goal to respond - but to listen and understand. With empathy, leaders are much more capable of understanding their followers without judgment.

5. Empathy allows people to reach greater heights. Being an empathetic leader takes a lot of time and effort. When it comes to building teams, you need to take a keen interest in your followers - by asking questions about their challenges, their families, and their aspirations. By demonstrating that you care for them deeply, you are able to earn people's trust and provide them with the necessary motivation to improve themselves.

6. Empathy nurtures communication. An empathetic leader listens and communicates in a way that makes people feel safe to talk to them. To effectively communicate means realizing and acknowledging the differences in the choices we make and in the way we perceive the world, and then using this understanding to guide your communications with others.

How to be an empathetic leader

Here are a few things that leaders may do in order to show empathy towards others.

• Truly listen. True listening means listening with open ears, eyes, and - above all - an open heart. It means paying attention to people's body language, tone of voice, as well as the hidden emotions behind what they are saying. On top of that, it means not thinking about what you’re going to say next.
• Never interrupt. Empathetic leaders know how easily distractions can affect the quality of listening. A distracted listener often grows impatient and interrupts the speaker. However strong the distraction is, do not cut people off. Allowing others to say what they have to say is at the very core of empathy.
• Leave out your own judgment. Empathetic leaders do not judge. They let go of their own biases and are always open to new perspectives. As an empathetic leader, you don’t look at other people's feelings in terms of agreement or disagreement - but as a chance to learn and better understand them.
• Watch body language. Empathetic leaders understand that nonverbal communication can say more than any words. Body language is often the most direct way people communicate their own feelings - even when what they say is something quite different. Be aware of your own body language as you deal with others: remain open and listening, lean in when people speak, and show that you’re interested in what they are saying. Spend some time considering how you come across when you communicate with others.
• Encourage those who are quiet. In meetings, there are always some people who do most of the talking. And then there are the quiet ones who rarely speak up, even if they do have great ideas to contribute. As a leader, it is vital that you encourage these people to have a say.
• Take a personal interest. Empathetic leaders have a genuine curiosity about their followers - they always ask questions about people’s lives, their challenges, their families, their aspirations. Such personal interest is one of the strongest ways to build relationships and improve performance.

Conclusion

Leadership is all about being able to listen to, relate, and connect with people in order to inspire them to reach greater heights. For this reason, empathy is a trait that every aspiring leader needs to practice - on a daily basis. As you become a more empathetic leader, you should gradually witness tangible growth within your organization.

Are you ready to become an empathetic leader?

Sign up for ITD World's upcoming e-workshop - The Power of Empathy - where Dr. Philip Lai is going to present to you about what, why, and how leaders can demonstrate true empathy in the workplace: https://itdworld.com/the-power-of-empathy/

When you attend this 2-hour e-workshop, you will learn about empathy and its interpersonal effectiveness and leadership implications in the workplace. At the end of this workshop, you should walk away with a clear understanding of what empathy is - and a clear road map for developing one's Power of Empathy (POE).

For more tips on leadership and management during crises, explore our in-house leadership & HR solutions - provided by the TOP GURUs in the world.

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