Imagine you’re leading a meeting where tension is rising. Instead of rushing in to fix the problem, you get curious. You pause, listen, and ask questions to really understand other people’s perspectives without judgment. This is the power of empathic leadership—and illustrates what empathy expert Maria Ross calls the number one trait of empathic leaders—curiosity.
The Business Case: How Empathy Affects KPIs
Empathic leadership isn’t just a soft skill—it’s a key driver of business success. When you lead with empathy, the improvements are measurable, including employee engagement, customer satisfaction, and even retention rates. Ross’s research proves that out.
In fact, organizations with high empathy scores tend to experience lower turnover, higher customer loyalty, and increased profits. Empathy creates an environment where employees feel connected and valued, and customers can sense the difference.
5 Pillars of Empathic Leadership
In her books, The Empathy Edge and The Empathy Dilemma, Ross lays out five essential pillars of empathetic leadership: self-awareness, self-care, clarity, decisiveness, and joy. These pillars aren’t just nice-to-haves. When you integrate them into your leadership, you’ll see improved KPIs across the board.
- In what areas of your leadership could you be more curious?
- Which of the five pillars would you choose to work on first?
5 Amare Action Steps to Lead with Empathy and Deliver Better Results
1. Self-awareness: Understand your emotional triggers. Before jumping into a meeting, take a moment to reflect on your feelings. Are you feeling rushed, stressed, or impatient? Learn how to identify these emotions and then recenter yourself.
2. Self-care: Lead by example. Your team watches everything you do—whether you take breaks, get exercise, or set clear work boundaries. Prioritize your well-being, and show your team that taking care of yourself is not only okay but essential for effective leadership.
3. Clarity: Communicate with purpose. Set clear goals and tie expectations to your mission and vision. Make sure everyone is aligned and that your team understands not just the “what” but the “why” behind your decisions. Keep your message to the point (how-to resource here).
4. Decisiveness: Make decisions with empathy and confidence. Take the time to listen and understand in order to make informed, empathetic decisions. Tune into your inner wisdom, too. Then, whatever you decide, empower that decision. Here are 5 techniques for how to take a stand and also stay connected.
5. Joy: Bring positive energy to the table. Celebrate small wins, create positive interactions, and show gratitude. Create an environment where all your people can thrive. When your team feels supported and appreciated, their performance improves, and so do your bottom-line results.
Putting Empathy to Work
Empathy isn’t just a feel-good concept; it’s a powerful leadership tool that directly impacts your results. By embracing Maria Ross’s 5 pillars—self-awareness, self-care, clarity, decisiveness, and joy—you’re setting the foundation for a leadership style that’s not only human but also highly effective.
Build a Stronger and More Unified Leadership Team
I do powerful keynotes and design unique retreats that help leadership teams be more aligned, on purpose, and connected (and they’re really fun too!). For more information, contact me here.
Today’s Amare Wave Wednesday Quote
“Empathy is about finding echoes of another person in yourself.”
— Mohsin Hamid, British Pakistani novelist
Click here and read more Amare Wave Wednesday newsletters on related topics:
Less Words, More Impact: Exercise Your Leadership Power by Being Clear and Concise
How to Take a Stand and Stay Connected: Five Highly Effective Steps
How to Become an Inspirational Leader & Transform your Organization
The ABCs of Great Leadership: Unleash the Full Potential of Your Organization with a Simplified Approach to Transformation
From Cynicism to Commitment: How Great Leaders Drive Meaningful Transformation
Original article published on Inc.com.
0 Comments