Empathy means comprehending and feeling what others are feeling, is a trait that sets exceptional leaders apart.
In today’s complex and dynamic work landscape, empathy is not only a favorable virtue but a necessity from the leadership perspective for forming a constructive organizational culture, propelling team progress, and achieving sustained success.
In this article, we will understand the significance of leading emphatically and, thus, some leaders who turned it into an art of theirs and engaged their teams in the process.
Creating a culture of psychological safety
Empathetic leaders recognize the crucial role of creating an environment with psychological security.
This environment makes team members confident in voicing their opinions, contributing ideas and taking challenging risks without worrying about unpleasant consequences or harmful others reactions.
Mr Sundar Pichai, the CEO of Google and Alphabet Inc is outstanding at promoting the organization’s psychological security.
By allowing open communication and feedback and using excellent listening skills, he responds to his team members concerns and ideas and guarantees everyone’s voice is expressed and appreciated.
With psychological safety on the top priority list, Sundar Pichai has created a workplace that favors creativity and encourages employees to take the initiative, an essential factor in achieving Google results.
Building trust through authenticity
Authenticity is a pivotal ingredient for emotional intelligence, which is the core of empathy-driven leadership. Leaders who speak from the heart, stay honest, and genuinely connect with their team members become people who can relate to and trust.
Those are the leaders who build strong relationships.
Authenticity in leadership can be manifested by Mary Barra, CEO of General Motors (GM). Barra is the kind of humble manager who can boldly and confidently examine her mistakes accurately.
Moreover, by speaking out on behalf of all the workers and revealing her weaknesses, Barra has gained the employees’ loyalty and esteem and set an example of a culture of transparency and integrity at GM.
Active listening and understanding
Influential leaders appreciate how listening actively and trying to comprehend what others have to say and what they have experienced is crucial to their teams.
Satya Nadella, Microsoft’s current CEO, is a vivid example of how empathetic a leader needs to be.
Nadella holds numerous one-to-one meetings with employees at all company levels, demonstrating an ability to listen to their concerns and ideas and consider them with empathy and understanding, which is not uncommon.
Through personal communication with his subordinates, Nadella builds a foundation of trust and rapport and strengthens various relationships, thus creating a feeling of belonging and inclusiveness as part of the team.
Recognizing and valuing diversity
Emotionally intelligent leaders appreciate the power of variety and inclusion to increase innovation, creativity, and organizational success.
Tim Cook is the CEO of Apple Inc. and is known as an active supporter of diversity and inclusivity within Apple and in the broader tech industry.
However, one cannot deny Cook’s contribution to promoting diversity and equality at Apple, especially in increasing the number of women and underrepresented minority staff and leaders.
Cook improves diversity and inclusion culture, which drives organizational innovation and diversity.
The organization differs in viewpoints and backgrounds and embraces the differences.
Supporting Personal and Professional Growth
Empathy-based leaders prioritize the growth and self-development of their team members. They support them in reaching their maximum potential through mentorship, guidance, and counsel.
Oprah Winfrey, a media mogul and philanthropist, is a foundational character in this case.
In her life, Winfrey really liked helping people get better at things and grow. She didn’t just do it for herself but also for others.
She used TV, magazines, and other things to share stories and encourage people to be their best.
By always talking about how to make yourself better, Winfrey inspires her fans and the people who work with her to aim high and make the world a better place.
Leading with compassion and empathy
Primarily, with empathy, leading is about showing others care, kindness, and understanding. Empathy leading is about showing care, kindness, and understanding towards others.
Jacinda Ardern, prime minister of New Zealand, embodies these principles through her humane approach.
The praise-worth section of Jacinda Ardern relating to her attitude towards the Christchurch mosque shootings of 2019, which can be explained by empathy, unity, and support for the Muslim community, earned her respect both at home and abroad.
Through compassion and kindness, Ardern has demonstrated to the world the ability of such leadership in a crisis, when people rapidly forget their differences and instead channel internal strength, hope, and resilience.
Conclusion
Finally, empathic leadership is not only a leadership style but a philosophy that helps to develop trust and collaboration and involves team engagement.
As indicated by prominent empathic leaders, leadership with empathy isn’t only for making a business successful; it is also remarkable for the lives of others and creating a friendly and equal world.
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