Empathy in Leadership: Why it Matters More Than Ever

As leaders, we are constantly looking for ways to improve our team's performance, engagement, and happiness. Empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of others, may be the key to achieving these goals.

Recent research has shown that empathy is not just a "soft skill" but a critical aspect of effective leadership. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought new levels of stress and uncertainty to our personal and professional lives, and this stress is affecting our mental and physical well-being. A global study by Qualtrics found that 42% of people have experienced a decline in mental health, with 67% reporting increased stress and 57% reporting increased anxiety.

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This stress is also affecting our work lives. A study in Occupational Health Science found that our sleep is compromised when we feel stressed at work, and research at the University of Illinois found that when employees receive rude emails at work, they tend to experience negativity that spills over into their personal lives. A study at Carleton University found that when people experience incivility at work, they tend to feel less capable in their parenting.

But empathy can be a powerful antidote to these negative effects. A new study of 889 employees by Catalyst found that when people reported their leaders were empathetic, they were more likely to report they were able to be innovative (61% compared to 13%), more engaged (76% compared to 32%), and more likely to stay with their companies (57% of white women and 62% of women of color). Empathetic leaders were also more likely to create inclusive environments (50% compared to 17%) and to help their teams navigate the demands of work and life (86% compared to 60%).

Empathy also fosters cooperation and even causes people to be more empathetic, according to a study published in Evolutionary Biology. This is especially important in decision-making, as empathy can lead to more inclusive and effective solutions.

The benefits of empathy extend to mental health as well. The Qualtrics study found that when leaders were perceived as empathetic, employees were more likely to report they were happy (55% compared to 14%), and less likely to report they were sad (43% compared to 53%).

In conclusion, empathy is more important than ever for leaders. It is not just a "soft skill" but a critical aspect of effective leadership that can drive significant business results. Empathy can lead to increased innovation, engagement, retention, inclusivity, and work-life balance, as well as better mental health for our teams. As a leader, make sure to prioritize empathy and encourage it in your team. It will benefit everyone.

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