Empathy in Action: Leading the Way to Empower Your Team

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One of the most powerful decisions any leader (or human being) can make is the decision to be empathetic. To take it one step further, to be empathetic toward those who adamantly disagree with you or rub you the wrong way. It’s easy to be empathetic toward someone who validates your thoughts and opinions. It’s a natural response. But when we learn that empathy isn't about us - it’s about the other person - we can look past our own insecurities and simply serve.

According to the 2019 State of Workplace Empathy Study, "A staggering 8 in 10 employees, HR professionals, and CEOs all believe that organizations see someone with a mental health issue as a burden. It’s estimated that 40 million Americans are coping with a form of anxiety, and yet only a third of employees who experienced a mental health issue last year reached out for help at work."

Trust me, I know it’s not easy. However, an intentional act of kindness is a chance to enter their story and allow them to enter yours. As you demonstrate humility and presence through active understanding, you value that person. When the person feels valued, they are more receptive to feedback too.?

I experienced this toward the end of a recent board meeting. I’m honored to be on the board of a growing and influential company in the greater Philadelphia area. Our quarterly meetings typically run for about 3 hours, during which the board invites a couple of team members to join us, depending on the agenda.?

During the meeting, the president checked in with a team member about a task she was supposed to work on. Her body language said it all: She wasn’t feeling good about the interaction.?

I sensed that the president was going to keep pushing for answers, but I was determined to not let the meeting go in a negative direction! I stepped in and asked her a few questions that spoke to her humanity. Basically, I asked how she was feeling in light of the pandemic. Immediately, her countenance changed. She felt valued, appreciated, and encouraged that someone even asked. It took maybe 5 minutes but meant the world to her.

Coming out of this brief and personal interaction, I was then able to reinforce what the president was communicating. She was much more willing and able to discuss the task after that.?

I was reminded that this is the type of leadership that empowers.

Reflection

• Who is one of the most empathetic people you know? What is one empathetic thing they are really good at that you can put into practice in the next 30 days?

(**Content is taken from Chapter 6 in my latest book,?'Move the Needle: How Inside Out Leadership Influence Organizational Culture')

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About Robb Holman

Robb Holman is a sought-after Global?Keynote Speaker?and Author of three transformational leadership books,?Lead the Way,?All In, and?Move the Needle. In recognition of his expertise, Robb was named one of the world's top 30 leadership speakers and thought leaders by Global Gurus in both 2022 and 2023. He was also recently inducted into the Power List of the Top 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership in 2023. His innovative Inside Out Leadership philosophy has gained significant recognition and has been featured in publications like Inc, Forbes, and Fast Company. You can visit Robb by going?here.

Robb is presently offering a?FREE assessment?to help create a level of self-awareness on four key areas of your life: Perspective, Purpose, Vision, and Leading Yourself First.