The Modern Empathetic Leader: Engagement in Challenging Times
Empathy is more than a buzzword. Everyone is talking about empathy right now. But what is it and why is it so important for leaders right now? Oh, and empathy is not just some ’soft skill’ that may sound only people focused. Empathy is a results driver, innovation starter, and talent accelerator. Like I said, it’s more than a buzzword.
Forbes calls Empathy the most important leadership skill, and they have research to support it. In their article, Empathy Is The Most Important Leadership Skill According To Research they cite multiple research studies that point to empathy being a critical skill for leaders to have and utilize effectively. That is not new, but the importance of it in today’s environment is significantly heightened.
A recent Catalyst study of 900 employees revealed that leaders who practice empathy will have a more engaged and higher-performing team, as well as a more profitable business overall. 1
In another study mentioned in the article, related to workplace attributes, participants connected empathy to innovation, engagement, retention, inclusivity, and balance with work-life. Few could define a better list than those key areas to connect with employees. Those are always at the top of the list for what you want as descriptors of your culture and workplace environment.
When you talk about engagement, 76% of those who identify as working for an empathetic leader also state they are fully engaged, as compared to 32% when not working for an empathetic leader. Innovation also scores more than five times higher when people state they work for a leader who expresses empathy. These are meaningful shifts in behavior when a leader is connected to their people. Not that this is a surprise, but the impact is growing, and the importance cannot be underestimated in the current environment.
When many people can easily feel alone or afraid when facing current world, economic, or health situations, having someone who understands is essential. People need their leaders to feel what they feel. To see things through their eyes. Below is how an empathetic leader is described on Tony Robbins’ website:
Empathetic leadership is a style of leadership that focuses on identifying with others and understanding their point of view. Empathetic leaders take a genuine interest in the people around them – what makes them tick, what inspires them and the way they feel. They want to understand why people are the way they are, and this desire helps them become great leaders who are able to connect with many types of people and adapt their style depending on who they are interacting with.
This sums it up pretty well. When that connection is made between employee and leader, good things begin to happen.
Innovation
People are willing to work together more. They share ideas at a faster rate. The resulting environment is one where there is a willingness to try new things without fear of failing. Change is more accepted because they feel accepted and understood.
Trust
Empathy builds trust. Period. When your team feels understood, they share more of everything. They trust you as a leader and the direction you will take them in. Empathy clears the path of frequent hurdles that slow progress.
Judgement free
Real empathy comes from being free of judgement. It is listening to learn. Learning to understand. And understanding to support. When your team feels all of those pieces together, they know that you are connecting with them for who they are, not just what they do in their job. That is an important distinction in how a leader moves from someone who simply cares to someone who has embraced their team and vice versa.
When you think about what any given employee may be facing at any time right now, suddenly the importance of empathy is magnified. Unless we ask, listen, and learn, we will never know what someone may be facing on the other side of their life. Work is only one aspect of one’s life. And there is no true separation of work and life. Whether it is a part-time front-line associate or a multi-unit leader of a multi-million dollar business, we all have different facets of life that make an impact on us. Assume nothing. Take nothing for granted. And connect with your team to be the leader they need you to be.
How can you enhance your skills as an empathic leader?
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Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash
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