Empathetic leaders follow the “ 2 Ears - 1 Mouth ” rule … they spend more time listening than talking . Leaders who are empathetic focus on the person who is speaking too . Today , there are so many distractions around us , it can significantly impact the quality of our listening skills . Leaders who have mastered the skill of empathy will not use their smartphones or work on their computer when listening . They give their full attention to the speaker in front of them .
This does not mean that talkative people cannot make empathetic leaders , though . It all starts and stops at whether the many words a person says are cognizant of other people ’ s feelings . Have you met people who talk a lot but are pleasant to listen to , they joke a lot but the jokes are enjoyable and life-changing ? These types of people are able to know when to listen and when to talk , and more importantly , what to say when they talk .
Empathetic leaders are nonjudgmental , even when the feelings of others are in direct
‘‘ Empathy takes no talent . It doesn ’ t take rocket science . You don ’ t need amazing amounts of experience . It simply requires some fore-thought . Taking a step back . Purposefully thinking about how others may feel , rather than focusing on how you feel .’’ disagreement with their own feelings . They will share into your feelings in a way of understanding them , but that understanding will only be used in making decisions and not to judge if you ’ re right or wrong in having the feelings . This helps empathetic leaders to understand one ’ s perception and reasons behind their actions .
Lastly , empathetic leaders are emotionally intelligent . They are able to step back from their own and the other person ’ s feelings and analyze those feelings in an objective manner . They will however not allow the feelings of others impact the outcome of a situation .
Importance of Empathy in Leadership
Empathy in leadership is one of the most important factors influencing workplaces today . A lack of empathy in leadership can have dramatic consequences for staff and teams , leading to behavior that makes the workplace very unpleasant .
The importance of empathy in leadership is found in one big word - TRUST ! If the staff don ’ t trust you , you are not a leader ; you are just a boss . Empathy is one of the most important components for building trust with others .
When you show that you are aware of your employees ’ feelings and appreciate those feelings , even when you don ’ t agree with them , it builds trust . The employee has faith that you will at least take their feelings into consideration . You can then use this understanding of their feelings to give them what they need to succeed , further strengthening your relationship , increasing collaboration and improving productivity .
If you lack empathy , the people you work with will always be protective , as they see you as an enemy . They will always feel like they have to look out for their own emotional interest . While with an empathetic leader , the employee knows that their feelings will never be simply overlooked or ignored .
One of the most common signs of a lack of empathy in leadership is when a leader expects the members of staff to think the same way as they do .
I am sure you must have seen situations where leaders expect their teams to work very long hours consistently , even though the personal situations of each individual is very different . Some leaders focus very little on family or home life and expect this to be mirrored by their teams .
Developing Empathy
Empathy takes no talent . It doesn ’ t take rocket science . You don ’ t need amazing amounts of experience . It simply requires some fore-thought . Taking a step back . Purposefully thinking about how others may feel , rather than focusing on how you feel .
Of course , how you feel as a leader is also important , but it comes second when your team are hurting , irritated or upset . Because being a person is always more important than being an employee . Once you treat the people right , you can focus on what you need from them as employees later .
Stop . Think . Seek to understand , and get out of your own head , because empathy in leadership matters a lot !
George Mbithi is a Marketing Communications Specialist with experience in developing strategic communications plans , generating multimedia materials , producing web and social media content , and developing targeted presentations to communicate key messages and initiatives . He is currently the Communications Mana