The Importance of Empathy in Leadership

Although it's not mentioned often, empathy is one of the most critical leadership skills for you and your team. But why is empathy important in leadership? The answer is simple; it helps your team feel more nurtured and seen and can impact the bottom line in compelling ways.

Empathy, active listening, and seeing your employees as people rather than cogs in a machine will empower them to excel at their jobs, take on more leadership roles, and want to stay at your company for the long run.

What Is Empathetic Leadership?

Empathetic leadership refers to your ability to create a safe environment where people feel like you totally understand them. Compassionate leaders can understand different people and points of view, even if they don't share them, and can intuit what their employees need. It's an excellent way to foster teamwork and also negate employee attrition because people feel valued. 

Why Is Empathy Important in Leadership?

Empathetic leaders generally have more loyal and responsive employees because their inherent empathy makes them easier to talk to. This kind of workplace transparency can go very far and allow leaders to separate people from their performance and give help when it's needed. 

Empathetic leaders can uplift and encourage struggling team members when they're starting to have problems rather than when the issue becomes too big to ignore. Since compassionate leaders are easy to talk to, employees feel comfortable coming to them with concerns or if they don't understand something. Empathy is vital in fields like sales, which can be a little bit cutthroat because sales associates won't feel like they're about to be fired if they're struggling.

Instead, they'll want to perform their very best and understand that they can come to you with any initial concerns.

How Can Empathy Be Demonstrated by a Leader?

There are plenty of different ways to demonstrate empathy as a leader, and practicing kindness every day to see what works best for you is important. Evolving your communication and work style will always be a work in progress. But, generally speaking, there are a few ways you can show empathy right off the bat.

Practicing active listening is an excellent way to show that you care. Active listening means taking in what the other person says without checking your cell phone or scrolling through your email. It also means letting the person say what they need to without cutting them off.

Even if your employee is saying something you don't like, refrain from interrupting them. When they're finished, you can ask clarifying questions or gently push back on something you have an issue with. Another important way to show empathy is to refrain from personal judgment of the person's communication style. 

Empathetic leaders understand that not all people communicate as they do. Generally, C-level employees and leaders are direct, results-oriented personalities, and their employees could be people who don't like getting straight to the point. Instead of rushing their employees, empathetic leaders allow them to talk and show patience and restraint. Less assertive personality types will certainly appreciate and respect this.

It's also a good idea to communicate your failures and missteps. This shows your team that you're human and just as prone to making mistakes as they are. It also indicates vulnerability, a considerable strength in establishing important rapport with your team.

Encouraging a Culture of Empathy

One of the greatest things about being an empathetic leader is that you can foster a culture of empathy that has ripple effects throughout your workforce. Doing this will prompt other employees to show concern and kindness to their fellow workers and create a healthier environment overall.

The Path to Creating a More Empathetic Workplace

Now that you understand the answer to “why is empathy important in leadership?” consider creating a more empathetic workplace. But how? Create a more empathetic workplace using a "we" mentality rather than an "I" mentality. Even though you're the leader, it's essential to see yourself as part of the larger team and realize that irrespective of your job title, you and your employees all have the same goal.

Cultivate emotional intelligence, and try to step into your employees' shoes. Be transparent and understand why you're having defensive reactions to criticism. Leaders must often be reminded to leave their egos at the door, so if yours is getting in the way, ensure you address it.

Encouraging feedback from your employees is also helpful. If your employees are afraid of giving feedback for fear of retribution, let them do it anonymously, then take steps to ensure them that any honest critiques of you or how the department is run won't lead to penalties or termination.

Give critical feedback in private, but make praise public. For example, it's a good idea to highlight the month's top performer, give out perks like days off or company parties, and solicit ideas for incentives that your employees will enjoy. Asking for this kind of feedback does two things; it shows your employees that you value their opinions, and it gets them excited about the prospect of a reward.

Are you ready to become a more empathetic leader? Contact our BonFire Coaches today for a consultation.