(source: Nassef Mohsen Ali)
Individuals who are inherently more empathetic tend to be better problem solvers, which makes them more intuitive leaders. Empathy is the ability to comprehend the feelings of others. People who successfully lead with empathy develop an environment of mutual trust and respect between their colleagues and employees, are more dynamic in their problem-solving approach, and can successfully impact organizational change at an even higher level.
Benefit One: Better Problem Solver
Due to their empathetic nature, those who lead with empathy tend to analyze a problem from different perspectives. These leaders understand the importance of taking a nuanced approach to problem-solving, often by meeting with others and actively listening to ensure they have all the relevant information. Empathetic leaders are usually curious individuals. They might plaster you with a platitude of follow-up questions to get to the heart of the matter.
As a by-product, they can absorb more information than their non-empathetic counterparts, who aren’t willing to take extra steps to grasp the problem at hand fully. By doing their due diligence, empathetic leaders can make better, more informed decisions.
Benefit Two: Build Trust
Individuals who lead with empathy are more approachable because they demonstrate high emotional intelligence. How someone handles a situation will dictate our willingness to come to them when we inevitably mess up. That’s why those who navigate challenging situations with sensitivity can build trust.
Some might argue that empathy can be a weakness because it prevents us from holding each other accountable. To be a strong leader, you must forego empathy.
This is a poor understanding of what empathy truly entails. When appropriately understood, empathy seeks the best solution for all parties involved. For example, if an employee is underperforming, an empathetic approach for a manager would be to understand why an employee is struggling. By leveraging their emotional intelligence, the manager actively builds trust with the employee, who is more likely to follow through with the action steps since they have been heard.
Benefit Three: Positively Impact Culture
Empathy inspires others to follow suit and, in turn, permeates a culture of empathy. Think of the last time you made a mistake at work while trying something new. How did others react? Were they quick to blame, or were they understanding? Often, your experiences are not isolated incidents but indicative of the work culture. Those who feel safe can take more initiative in their jobs, but those who fear making mistakes tend to take the seemingly safer road, often leading to less innovation.
Since leaders set the tone at the top, they can model how colleagues should treat each other by displaying more compassion for their employees. Building mutual trust and respect eliminates fear and creates a culture where people feel safe ideating new solutions.