The Empathy Deficit: Leading with Emotional Intelligence at Work and Home in a polarised world

Welcome to my third newsletter on The Empathy Deficit, and thank you to all my new followers for joining me as I reached 3,000 followers this week on LinkedIn! ?? A moment to celebrate my digital journey of connecting online. My mission is simple—to educate more and more people on Emotional Intelligence (EQ) through my coaching, education, and thought leadership!

As our world becomes increasingly divided—politically, socially, and in the workplace—one skill stands out as essential for navigating these turbulent times: Empathy. The recent US election has reignited discussions on leadership styles, influence, and trust. Whether in politics, business, or everyday interactions, the ability to understand and connect with others is what differentiates truly effective leaders.

As an RocheMartin ECR accredited trainer, I’ve seen first hand how empathy is becoming a lost skill in the workplace, even though the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report identifies it as a critical competency for the future workforce. In an era of automation, AI, and rapid change, empathy remains one of the uniquely human qualities that can’t be replaced. It is what enables leaders to build trust, resolve conflict, and foster collaboration.

Mimi Nicklin - Empathy Advocate , author of Softening the Edge and founder of the Empathy Everywhere movement, highlights that empathy isn’t just a “nice to have” but a business imperative. She argues that empathy is the missing link in many organisations, with businesses suffering from lower engagement, higher burnout, and weaker collaboration due to a lack of true human connection.

Why Empathy is Declining—And Why It Matters More Than Ever

Despite its importance, empathy is on the decline. Research from studies in psychology and neuroscience shows that people are becoming less able to step into another’s shoes due to increased digital communication, workplace stress, and social fragmentation.

But why does this matter for leaders? Leaders lacking in empathy:

? Struggle to engage and retain talent

? Create cultures of fear rather than collaboration

? Make decisions in isolation, disconnected from the real needs of their teams

Empathy is not about agreeing with everyone—it’s about understanding different perspectives, which is essential for effective leadership in a polarised world.

Mimi Nicklin states, “We are in the midst of an empathy deficit, yet those who can harness it effectively will lead the most successful and sustainable organisations.”

Local Skillnet providers like my local County Wexford Chamber Skillnet running programs such as the Career Transition coaching program and Waterford Chamber Skillnet running Regional Leadership development programs are helping aid the deficit and i am delighted to play a small part in both.

Empathy Deficit Disorder (EDD): A Growing Challenge

Psychotherapist Douglas LaBier defines Empathy Deficit Disorder (EDD) as a condition that develops when individuals focus excessively on acquiring power, status, and material gain at the expense of human connection. This mindset leads to:

? Alienation from emotions, where people define themselves by their possessions or influence rather than their values.

? Transactional relationships, where interactions are measured solely in terms of personal benefit rather than mutual understanding.

? A false sense of independence, where individuals believe they are entirely self-sufficient, losing sight of how interconnected we all are.

In practice, this results in weaker relationships, higher levels of conflict, and increased societal polarisation. In leadership, it manifests as a lack of concern for team well-being, difficulty in resolving conflicts, and a disengaged workforce. Overcoming Empathy Deficit Disorder requires conscious effort to shift from self-interest to collective growth.

Empathy in Leadership: What the Data Says:

The World Economic Forum Future of Jobs Report ranks empathy as a critical skill for leadership and workforce sustainability.

?? A study by 美国哈佛商学院 Review found that CEOs with high empathy scores outperform their peers in innovation and employee engagement.

?? The RocheMartin Emotional Capital Report (ECR) framework identifies Empathy as a core emotional intelligence competency that drives trust, connection, and influence.

??According to Daniel Goleman, leaders with strong empathy create psychologically safe workplaces, improving both productivity and well-being.

Yet, many organisations still undervalue this skill, leading to disengagement and internal conflict.

3 Practical Ways to Strengthen Empathy as a Leader

Want to be an empathetic leader? Here’s how:

1?? Practice Deep Listening

Give people your full attention without thinking about your response.

Ask: “What’s important to you in this situation?” instead of rushing to solutions.

2?? Challenge Your Own Biases

We all have blind spots—actively seek perspectives outside your usual circle.

Try asking for feedback: “What’s something I may not be seeing here?”

3?? Lead with Compassionate Action

Empathy is not just about understanding—it’s about taking action.

If an employee is struggling, don’t just acknowledge it—ask how you can support them.

Parenting with Empathy: The Responsibility We Hold

Empathy isn’t just a leadership skill—it’s a life skill. As a mum to three daughters and as all our parents we owe it to our children to model empathetic leadership at home. The way we communicate, regulate emotions, and show compassion directly influences how the next generation will navigate relationships, challenges, and their own emotional intelligence.

Mimi Nicklin’s work reminds us that children learn empathy through observation and experience. If we want to raise resilient, emotionally intelligent leaders of the future, we must first embody these traits ourselves even if we did not experience it in our past- we can train our brains to do better. This means:

? Listening to our children with presence and patience

? Teaching them how to name and express their emotions

? Encouraging perspective-taking and understanding different viewpoints

Final Thought

In a polarised world, empathy isn’t a soft skill—it’s a leadership superpower. It creates trust, fosters innovation, and ensures leaders remain connected to their teams, customers, and communities.

As Mimi Nicklin states, “Empathy is not weakness—it’s the most powerful tool we have for driving positive change.” Whether in leadership or parenting, we have the responsibility to develop and nurture this skill.

?? Let’s Discuss! What’s your experience with empathy in leadership and parenting? Have you noticed a decline in the workplace? Share your thoughts in the comments!

If you interested in measuring your own EQ or Empathy levels and want to discover more- please do reach out wherever you are in the world.

#EmotionalIntelligence #Empathy #Leadership #FutureOfWork #WorkplaceCulture #Parenting #ECR #SustainableLeadership