Empathy is an essential characteristic of successful leadership. It helps you understand why someone has a specific action or reaction to a situation.
Though empathy sounds similar to sympathy, they are not the same.
When a leader shows sympathy, they are expressing feelings of sorrow for someone else’s misfortune.
When a leader expresses empathy, they are demonstrating the ability to understand and share feelings with another person, see things from the other person’s perspective, and relate to their feelings.
Empathy is an important leadership skill as it builds and reinforces relationships. When a leader understands empathy, they will also be aware of how they are perceived by others though their own words and actions.
How can you, as a leader, show empathy to your team members?
- When an employee comes to you with a problem, don’t be critical or impatient.
- Focus on what is being said to understand their view.
- See their body language and feel their emotion behind their words.
- Don’t brush over their words with quick answers.
- Listen attentively and let them know they are being heard.
- Use their name when speaking.
- Be fully present. Don’t check email, phone notifications, or your watch while they are speaking.
- Give specific and genuine praise by paying attention to what is going on around you.
“Always put yourself in other’s shoes. If you feel it hurts you, it probably hurts the other person too.” – Rachel Grady
Effective empathy skills help a leader guide employees, understand the cause behind employee’s actions, understand employee’s strengths and weaknesses, help struggling employees improve and excel, and give you an understanding on how to motivate employees.
How can you be empathetic when working with your team members and begin to incorporate those actions into your daily interactions?
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