How AI Can Help Us Show Empathy Consistently

Leadership can sometimes feel like a balancing act on a tightrope. As managers, we (hopefully) strive to connect with our teams, understand their challenges, and foster an environment of trust and support. But let’s face it—empathy isn’t always easy to come by, especially under pressure when "soft" interactions around culture, employee wellbeing and belonging are often thrown under the bus, deprioritised or forever postponed.

How might we show our team empathy and engage in a thoughtful way consistently and regularly, while making sure employee feedback stays confidential? Can AI tools support us to show empathy and build trust? Surprisingly, yes! While they of course never replace the human touch, AI can enhance our empathetic approach to leadership through planning diligent employee engagement in a consistent and continuous way.

Here are some practical tactics for leveraging AI to create a more open and supportive workplace culture that I've seen used successfully in companies I work with:

Automated Prompts for Feedback, Input and Reflection

How to do it: Use tools like ChatGPT, Chatbots or Slackbots to draft personalized check-ins and facilitate easy, confidential feedback for your team members. For example, you can set up a weekly prompt that reminds you to collect feedback, send a quick note to team members asking how they’re feeling about current projects, or do quick regular surveys about mental health and workload. Schedule regular automated check-ins to gauge employee well-being and team dynamics. Use tools like Google Forms or Typeform to create surveys that can be distributed easily and anonymously. Analyze the results in an automated way (with AI helpers) to identify trends and areas for improvement.

How to make the most of it: Integrate these AI solutions into existing technologies your team already uses. This seamless approach encourages regular utilization and minimizes the learning curve. Additionally, ensure that feedback is actionable by asking specific, open-ended questions, like “What can I do to support you better in your role?” or “What resources would you find helpful to improve your well-being at work?”

Share the outcomes in a timely and consistent manner with your team to foster transparency. Discuss what steps will be taken in response to their feedback, reinforcing that their voices are heard and valued.

It should be obvious, but I'll still mention it: Incorporating AI-driven tactics into your leadership approach doesn’t diminish your role as a manager; instead, it might empower you to become a more empathetic leader. While machines may not feel emotions like humans do, they can help us enhance our emotional intelligence and create more meaningful connections with our teams.

Anita Zielina - CEO Better Leaders Lab - [email protected]