Empathy: The Most Underrated Leadership Skill
Welcome to the world of work, where the elusive balance between professional and personal life seems to be slipping further away every day. The rise of remote work and digitalization has disrupted traditional working hours and made it increasingly difficult to draw a line between work and life. But fear not, because the key to navigating these changes and leading your team to productivity is through empathy.
Yes, you read that right - empathy. It's not just for psychologists and counsellors anymore! In fact, it's one of the most crucial skills for leaders to cultivate in today's workplace. When leaders can put themselves in their team's shoes, they can understand their challenges, provide solutions, and create a supportive environment where everyone can thrive.
Listen: Actively and regularly check in with your employees. Take the time to ask your employees how they are doing, and pause to listen, rather than diving straight into work topics. Listening can help build rapport, trust, and psychological safety.
Engage: By taking an interest in your team member's personal lives, hobbies, and interests, you can build deeper relationships with them, which can lead to more open communication and trust within the team. Remember, it's not just about asking questions, but actively listening and engaging in conversation. Show genuine interest in what they have to say and let them know that you value them as a person, not just as an employee.
Ask: What are your employees feeling or thinking? How can you show that you understand? The more connected you are to your team's feelings, the better you can support their needs. Pro tip: use a tool to collect anonymous feedback.
Guide: The best leaders support and coach their employees toward finding new or better solutions to their challenges. When your employees discuss why they feel challenged, help them find a solution. Make it a team effort by encouraging collaboration and brainstorming sessions to find creative solutions. Celebrate the successes and lessons learned along the way, and use them as opportunities for growth and development for both the individual and the team. Remember, as a leader, you're not just guiding your team toward success, but you're also learning from them and growing together.
Get real: If you want your team to share what is going on with them, get comfortable being vulnerable yourself. It's about sharing when things have felt challenging or that you won't be in to attend your son's sports day.
Share together: Foster an empathetic culture in which your team feels heard by each other, not just by Leadership. Get your team together and ask everyone to share something they bring to the team, something that frustrates them about others, and what they are most proud of achieving.
Oprah Winfrey once said, "Leadership is about empathy. It is about having the ability to relate to and connect with people for the purpose of inspiring and empowering their lives."
Empathy is like a secret superpower that can help you become a successful and respected leader. So, put on your empathy cap and start connecting with your team on a deeper level. Remember, getting to know your employees as humans beyond work is just as important as knowing them as colleagues. When you lead with empathy, you'll see amazing things happen in your team and your organization.