Empathy & Leadership: The Most Important Resource

"Leadership is about empathy. It is about having the ability to relate to and connect with people for the purpose of empowering and inspiring their lives." ~ Oprah Winfrey

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Employer hands a task to employee. Employee handles the task and then the employer returns with only negative comments, snide remarks on motivation, or demanding a full redo of the days worth of work. We have ALL been there. Each of us has worked for a supervisor who made us feel our worst. The work itself can be fun. Our coworkers can be the best people in the world. Your schedule could be the most convenient ever. And yet, you dread going into work, knowing that you will never feel like you have done enough. You find yourself craving true leadership, someone who will be grateful that you are giving all you have in that moment to the task at hand.

Leaders can be anyone, from the newest team member who just joined as an intern to the most seasoned of supervisors. Leaders keep the workers around them happy. They fill the gaps in co-workers needs. They make sure to note each employees' personal journey highlights, acknowledging that each employee has a full life outside of the workplace. They provide encouragement and constructive criticisms. Most of all they make the workplace worthwhile to come to.

So why do leaders need to rely on empathy? How can empathy change the working world? Simply, empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another. This sounds like an easy thing to do. To look at those around you to make sure that it is noted if they seem at their normal baseline or maybe a little stressed. The truth is, this is one of the most difficult abilities to develop. To look outside of one's self and recognize a co-worker or friend may be dealing with a situation you have never experienced. Setting aside the stress of a presentation deadline to make sure that your employee is okay, and if they aren't, pick up tasks yourself to help your employee and their team complete the presentation.

Empathy can cure a lot of frustrations and unpleasantness in the workplace. It creates an environment of positivity and productiveness. Employees universally feel more appreciated and accepted. And retention rates of employees is notably longer than those who have no true leadership in the workplace.

How can Foundation Consulting assist in creating this environment? Our skilled consultants trained for years in communication and customer service techniques. Each of our consultants emphasizes the importance of open communication and empathy techniques in the work place. Our goal is to make sure every member of your company's team has the skill set to have empathy for each other and your customers. When your team is happy and fulfilled, your clients will be happy and will return.