Great leaders don’t just direct, they connect. And that connection is built on empathy.
Empathy isn’t about agreeing with everyone; it’s about understanding where they’re coming from. In leadership, it means actively listening and responding with genuine care. It means being human.
A study by Catalyst found that 61 percent of employees with highly empathetic leaders report being more innovative, compared to only 13 percent of those with less empathetic leadership. Employees who feel their leaders are empathetic are also more engaged (76 percent) and less likely to leave their job (57 percent).
So, empathy matters. In addition to innovation, empathetic leaders—
1) enhance workplace relationships because when employees feel heard and valued they are more motivated;
2) encourage stronger team performance because when people feel advocated for they collaborate better;
3) establish a culture of healthy conflict resolution because empathetic leaders can navigate difficult conversations without escalating tension.
Yet, despite its impact, many of us struggle with empathy. It requires intentional effort. In an era where workplace culture is a competitive advantage, empathy is no longer optional, it’s essential for leadership success.
I work with leaders and teams to enhance communication, emotional intelligence, and leadership effectiveness. If you want to enact cultural change at your organization, let’s connect.
