Leading With Empathy and Courage is More Important Than Ever

Have you ever thought about your EQ … your “Emotional Intelligence” … and how this relates to your career or business? If not, you should!

Emotional Intelligence is how we show up for ourselves. Empathy is how we show up with others. It's our capacity to care without interference. While they are not interchangeable terms, they also are not mutually exclusive. Someone can have little or no self-awareness and be strong at empathy.

The self-awareness to recognize what emotions we have and what causes them is the beginning of getting what we want. Though, our awareness only gets us so far. It takes understanding the emotions of others and what causes their emotions to connect. When we move toward understanding each other on a level deeper than feelings, it becomes possible to work together and get what we want … in a way that supports and gives the other person what they want.

We're going to explore this train of thought with regard to the related concepts of empathy and courage and their combined impact on our career and business lives.

Giving / Taking Criticism with Empathy and Courage

Whether owner or employee, being on the receiving end of constructive criticism?should?be an expected part of the business. Yet criticism is a charged word …, so we avoid it. That's a problem.

Why? Perhaps because words can trigger emotion, and if we are surprised by someone's comments (i.e. unsolicited feedback), the results can be unpleasant. Yet feelings are separate from function.?Provided?we want to be effective in business, we have to learn to?frame?our responses to criticism when offering or accepting. So, what to do?

First, be aware.?Circumspection in either circumstance (giving or receiving) will enable one to discern the?purpose?of the criticism. Is it with regards to the clarity of overall business goals and mission? Or does it pertain to the team clearly understanding their roles on a particular project? Or is it the punctuality and focus of a specific employee?

Second, notice reactions on both sides?– yours and the other individual(s). Are they crossing their arms? Stiffening their posture? Are you feeling put upon, frustrated, unfairly singled out? Most importantly, if you can recognize?without reaction?– something that can undoubtedly take the utmost courage, especially if the subject is sensitive – you can control and direct your response and determine how to effectively engage with empathy without devolving into an accusatory mode.

Awareness, purpose, recognizing without reaction: all these actions engender the courage to take (and constructively apply) criticism and offer it to others with empathy.

Leading and Making Mistakes with Courage (and Having Empathy with Others Doing the Same)

What could be more important than pushing ourselves as business owners and leading by example through our actions? To be an example from which others can learn and emulate.

Well, that can be a scary prospect. What if I stumble? What if I make a mistake? What if I fail??What will others think of me?

Overcoming such misgivings is the very definition of courage. Get started by creating a construct of safety. A mental safe space in which you can determine?the absolute worst?work-related mishap you can imagine. Work back from there: how would you handle yourself? What direction would you make in the face of such an error? What would you do differently in the future?

If you can imagine yourself working your way through the absolute worst-case scenario gaffe, then you can face the uncertainty of making leadership decisions daily with courage and grace.?(And it always helps to empathize with the fact that others are going through the?exact same thing every day of their professional lives.)?Exhibit strength amid challenges that come by making decisions to take the business in new, different and unknown directions.

Recognizing boundaries is a hallmark of strength too! Sticking to agreements made with peers, coworkers, or employees will show others you are serious about your commitments and will have the extra benefit of mitigating possible mistakes.

In the end, as business leaders, we can pit ourselves against each other?or?collaborate with and help one another. The former is a regressive and cynical attitude. The latter takes courage and empathy in leadership: recognizing what we can control and what we can do that is right to keep people moving in the same direction, on the same goals.

Courage to Toss Old Habits and Employ New Ones Beneficial for Business Health (and Our Own Too!)

So how long has business been running on autopilot? Do we even give our daily routines a second thought if nothing is amiss?

Well, maybe that is?precisely?the time to have the courage to question everyday habits: when we're happy and content that nothing is going awry! Conscious action is required to recognize and choose to change – or not. To know if the business machinery is running?actually?smooth or?deceptively?smooth.

Change can be enjoyable. Change can benefit health. Change can encourage empathy and teamwork!

We can make a conscious decision to view business routine modification as a fun, practical intellectual challenge rather than a time-sucking drag. Mulling over different avenues to promote the product/service, a new system for calculating business expenses, a novel way to determine who on the team will cover what aspect of an upcoming project.

Always consider the pros and cons of a prospective change.?Meditate (literally!) on the possible consequences. Consider (i.e. have empathy for) coworkers or employees whom the changes will impact most. Even better – get them involved in the process too!

If the disadvantages outweigh the advantages of alteration, dare to recognize that outcome too - and set the plan aside! Remember, in business, we genuinely?do?lead by example.

The Mindset of Courage and Empathy

We are?all?courageous and capable of empathy in our way. Consciously pursue self-aware, daily acts of business courage; be ready to show up for others in the work world with empathy!?We will be the leader others look to, and in so doing, will exceed the limits of our professional plans.

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Feel like you need a bit of help with some business direction on this topic? Then ACT to Plan by contacting me for a?30-Minute Unstuck Quick Consult . We'll discuss your aims, where you are, and where you should be to move deliberately toward your team-building goals!

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Let's connect! You can find me on?Twitter ?and?LinkedIn .?You can also download my FREE eBook?7 Ways to Lead Your Team When?You Don't Have the Answers .