One of your seasoned sales team members is usually recognized for going above and beyond to meet deadlines. However, they have just submitted another presentation deck late, once again. As a leader, you have two options for addressing this. Option one: you could reprimand the team member, reminding them of the consequences of submitting work late in the future, without asking additional questions. Option two, the more empathetic approach, would involve inviting them into your office for a brief, confidential conversation to check in on how they’re managing. Through this conversation, you discover that your dedicated team member has been focused on helping their child, who has learning disabilities, adjust to a new grade level. This opens the door to a deeper understanding of your team member’s challenges. Together, you can develop a plan that not only supports their personal situation but also ensures the report will be submitted on time for the next round.
What is Empathy?
Empathy is the ability to understand another person’s internal feelings. At its core, empathy embodies respect, connection, and compassion for others.
Why is Empathy in Leadership Important?
As a leader, your role extends beyond managing deadlines and navigating change. Ultimately, you guide and inspire a team of individuals. To truly connect with your team, it’s vital to understand them – not just their tasks, but their emotions, motivations, and challenges. When you demonstrate empathy, you create a work environment where your team feels valued and understood, leading to higher morale, productivity, and innovation.
How Leaders Can Build Empathy in the Workplace
Below are some ways that you can empower your team and lead with a people-first approach.
Build Trust
If you want to create a work environment in which your team feels confident sharing their struggles with you in a professional way, then you need to establish trust. Trust is a two-way street. Not only do you need to trust your team to accomplish what they have been hired to do, but your team needs to be able to trust you to support them and lead them through challenges. Actively listen when your team comes to you and communicate expectations. If you say you are going to do something, hold yourself accountable.
Resolve Conflicts
Conflict is inevitable in any workplace. A strong leader removes obstacles from their team’s path, enabling them to focus on their work. When you develop the skill of understanding the underlying motivations behind individuals’ actions, you can help team members recognize the root causes of conflicts. This deeper understanding empowers you to help your team find solutions that benefit everyone involved.
Promote Inclusivity
As a leader, you set the standard for your team to follow. If empathy is a core value within your organization, it’s your responsibility to embody it, setting an example for others to model their behavior after. When leading a team of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences, it’s essential to ensure that every voice is heard and valued. Foster an inclusive environment where all perspectives are respected.
Developing Empathy as a Leadership Skill
In today’s fast-paced, constantly changing work environment, leadership that prioritizes empathy is more important than ever. That’s why, at Front Line Leadership, we focus our leadership training and development course on the power of mutual respect and trust. Learn more about our flexible in-person and web-based training opportunities.