A New Kind of Leadership: Traits for the Times—Vulnerability, Empathy, and Compassion

On March 8 of each year, the world comes together to celebrate women—celebrating their achievements, raising awareness about equality, and lobbying for accelerated gender equity. While the proverbial glass ceiling sustained serious structural damage by some amazing women over the past year, today also causes me to reflect on the journey we have all been on over the last 12 months.

This past year has been extraordinary in every sense of the word. Whether it be one of the events over the past year or the accumulation, the political, social, health, and economic environment impacts all aspects of life, including our work life. We share similar hopes and fears in our personal life, which have also extended to our work culture—the foundation of which has been shaken like never before. But it’s in the face of adversity that an organization’s culture, and our society, are truly put to the test, and its response—what it says and does—reflects its true purpose and values.

So, where do we go from here? With crisis and adversity comes the opportunity to reset and determine a new path for the future. It inspires imagination. Innovation. And it has ignited a global entrepreneurial spirit like we have never before seen, forcing us to look at things in new ways to overcome the challenges of distance and safety without compromising quality, productivity, or service—or, most importantly, our culture and our people. Tomorrow’s leaders will need to pivot to create environments founded on authenticity and inclusivity—to give people permission to have a culture of willingness to evolve with the real world around us, instead of shutting it out.

As I prepare for the phenomenal events I am joining for International Women’s Day, I’ve drawn inspiration from the World Economic Forum #DavosAgenda virtual #EqualityLounge panel I recently participated in alongside exceptional female business luminaries and leaders. Reflecting on our discussion, three powerful values are clearly emerging as the centerpiece of modern leadership—particularly modern female leadership.

Be Vulnerable

Vulnerability is one of the most courageous acts a leader can undertake—particularly in a crisis when the future is so uncertain. It tasks us with tearing down our own walls, confronting what is ahead of us, and sharing more about ourselves and what we see ahead of us with an open heart. It requires us to be human and willing to experience the ups and downs in a very visible manner.

Intimidating as it may be, this kind of openness gives us a real opportunity to inspire the very authenticity we want to encourage in our people by building connections and increasing trust in a meaningful and profound way.

In the past year, I have communicated with our people about our business outlook, plans for virtual work environments, and other traditional topics—but I pivoted to also spend time talking about what and how I am feeling.

To open the dialogue at the beginning of the pandemic, we started having weekly webcasts with our people. There was a significant amount of uncertainty and, at times, it felt like there were more questions than answers. I wasn’t sure what work would look like or what financial or emotional implications the pandemic would have on our business or our people. Rather than focus solely on the uncertainty, I shifted my attention to sharing. Sharing my story—how the pandemic affected my family, what I was doing for my personal well-being, my experience working from home—so people could relate and hopefully have a stronger sense of community and belonging.

The creation of this safe space for true sharing and community demonstrates the kind of vulnerability that will be required going forward. I opened up about my fears, thoughts, and concerns on my weekly webcasts so our people would feel comfortable and safe opening up and telling their own stories. If you do this well, you’re able to demonstrate a true awareness into people's emotions, you become relatable, and can more easily and quickly build trust, all of which are critical when faced with times of uncertainty.

Demonstrate Empathy

The past 12 months have been a time of resilience—a time of listening, learning, and understanding how people are feeling. In its simplest form, empathy is the “Platinum Rule” —treat others the way they want to be treated. This approach puts the focus on understanding what the other person needs rather than what you think they need.  

Empathy is about how we show up and engage; intentional acts to connect with others on a deeper level. It requires improving your listening skills and being sympathetic. I have been much more intentional to broaden my accessibility and promote connectivity. The creation of a safe space for true sharing and community allows people the freedom to feel the way they need to feel—and know that their feelings aren’t right or wrong. I actively listen, putting aside my own reaction and letting their reaction come first, hearing our people out and seeing the situation through their eyes. I ask questions and truly engage.

Demonstrating empathy helps pull people together and allows us to feel capable of moving through a challenging time together. Trust is reciprocated, and it allows leaders to sense the pulse of their people, understand their state of mind, and have a greater appreciation for their hopes, fears, and needs.

Act Compassionately

2020 revealed that our professional lives don’t exist in a vacuum. Our personal lives and well-being cannot be compartmentalized and boxed away while we are working. And, for the health of all, emotional, physical, and psychological well-being must not be segregated from our workspace.

I often speak about my mother—her age, having preexisting health issues, and my concerns about her well-being are always at the forefront of my mind. My mother has always reminded me that I cannot take care of other people unless I take care of myself first. Well-being and self-care are essential to all of us—especially during tough times. I rely on my close-knit group of advisors to both give me a lift when I need it and to provide an open ear. My intentional focus on my well-being—and looking to others for help when I need it—allows me to be in the right headspace to be there for others.

Compassion is about a visible commitment to reduce suffering and making people feel genuinely cared for, which has been so critical over the past year. It requires taking an active role in listening, understanding, feeling, and then being part of the change—and will result in fostering stronger commitment, improved collaboration and teaming, trust, and loyalty.

We all want to feel valued and appreciated. We all want to feel like we belong. To feel secure. Being able to not just listen, but truly hear people, will differentiate us as leaders. Committing to leading with compassion also means committing to growth and development by creating a safe space for courageous and authentic conversations that evolve the culture to be much more inclusive.

Differentiated Leadership

So why am I thinking of these particular values on International Women’s Day? This past year has shown us that the conventional way of connecting, participating, and leading in society and in our workplace is outdated. And, frankly, many of the qualities women leaders have been implicitly or, at times, explicitly coached to distance themselves from—connection, warmth, care—are now precisely what our organizations and our society need.

Vulnerability. Empathy. Compassion. While these three powerful values are often inherent in women leaders, they are essential values for all leaders so that we can learn from one another and draw upon the power of the diversity of our organizations, emerging stronger, more connected, and healthier—physically and emotionally.

It’s time for us to adapt (and many women will lead this charge). It’s time for leaders to focus on what’s most important now to those who look to us for inspiration, mentorship, and direction. It’s time to create an environment that inspires and empowers those around us to tap into the truly diverse, human capabilities that will be the foundation of differentiated organizations of the future.

I’d love to hear how these values have made a difference in your personal or professional life. Please leave your thoughts in the comments below. Happy International Women’s Day!

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