What the world needs now: empathetic leadership

I’ve always been inspired by how my wife manages moments of transition or difficulty. No matter what’s happening, big or small, she always responds with compassion. I am in awe of how she leads our family and am profoundly grateful for her grounding presence especially during this tumultuous year. As I reflect on her qualities, I'm reminded of the many women leaders I work with or have worked with, and those leading governments and businesses, that I admire and respect. Although there are many great male leaders, I appreciate that women leaders tend to exhibit more of what I think is the one of the most important leadership skills: empathy.  

 We are currently living through overlapping health, economic, societal and environmental crises causing widespread fear, pain and uncertainty.  I’ve talked about how today’s challenges necessitate a new definition of leadership, one that prioritizes transparency, truth and respect. 

In this environment, empathetic leaders - with the ability to feel others’ pain and act with resilience - must take center stage. It’s encouraging to see more women in prominent leadership roles, from the first Black woman vice presidential candidate of a major party to the first woman CEO-elect of a Wall Street bank. 

But we need more women in leadership roles to bring empathy to our daily lives. That’s why I want to acknowledge great women leaders who, whether in government or business, use their platforms to positively and compassionately effect change in our unpredictable world.

 The rapid and devastating onset of COVID-19 has challenged government leaders everywhere, from small-town mayors to presidents and prime ministers. I believe women who have steered nations thoughtfully through the pandemic deserve special recognition.

Germany’s Angela Merkel didn’t sugarcoat the risks of COVID-19; in fact, she spoke frankly, warning Germans about the risks of the pandemic. She wasn’t afraid to be honest, with the hope that empathetic, clear communication would inspire action.  Similarly, after nearly eradicating COVID-19 in New Zealand, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern responded to a recent increase in cases with clear, quick action and consideration for her exhausted constituents. Because of this, she has frequently been celebrated for her thoughtful and effective leadership. And I have been particularly moved by the actions of Erna Solberg, the Norwegian Prime Minister, who, when she held a special news conference to answer children’s questions about COVID-19, said that it’s OK to feel scared. 

This is what true leadership is about: speaking to others as fellow humans and understanding how to show them kindness. Throughout the pandemic, these women have demonstrated both decisive and compassionate leadership to guide millions of citizens through a major public health crisis.

Additionally, it’s heartening to watch the rise of women business leaders who boldly prioritize empathy, like my friend Arianna Huffington. In the past year, I’ve had the honor of speaking with her at the Strategic Growth Forum? and many times since then. Arianna has long been a vocal advocate for ending our epidemic of stress and chronic burnout. Throughout 2020, she’s continued to focus on the importance of self-care, from how the pandemic has accelerated mental health challenges to what the civil rights movement can teach us about personal wellness. Arianna reminds me that an individual’s wellbeing is critical to showing up in the world as an engaged, thoughtful and energized leader.

Closer to home, I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to work alongside women who skillfully lead our business and our people. Throughout my career, many of my mentors, particularly Debbie Kissire,  were women exceptionally skilled at leading with empathy. As another example, Kelly Grier, EY US Chair and Managing Partner, is an outspoken advocate for our Black professionals. Kelly has led the development of a robust action plan for how our organization could address racial inequity and continues to encourage our leaders to connect directly with Black colleagues, start conversations and actively listen. Boston Office Managing Principal Jane Steinmetz has been recognized as an active LGBT+ ally and for cultivating a workplace culture of belonging. And this summer, Carolyn Slaski, Vice Chair of Talent for the Americas, pivoted quickly, welcoming thousands of interns to EY through a virtual program specially designed to prioritize wellbeing alongside professional learning.

These women executives stand out because they actively build a more inclusive firm, but there are many more who work tirelessly behind the scenes to keep our global organization and many others moving forward.

Empathetic leadership will be key to navigating the challenges we face, from an ongoing pandemic to economic uncertainty and a reckoning of racial injustice. I am hopeful that all leaders, from people managers to presidents, will realize what we can learn from these, and other, women. Compassionate leaders, no matter the gender - your time is now.

The views reflected in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the global EY organization or its member firms.