All About Empathic Leadership

Nowadays, teamwork, collaboration and interdependence are necessary, which  means that it is very necessary to have a good leader. However, we are not talking about any kind of leader. Companies require people who are able to lead, especially empathetic leadership, to take on positions of great responsibility.

But,  how does empathic leadership differ from other forms of leadership? Can we learn to lead that way, or is it something one is born with? In today’s article, we will answer these questions.

What does empathic leadership consist of?

Leadership is the ability to manage a group of people or an organization. A leader must establish a clear vision of goals to be achieved. They must also motivate the members of the group so that they can work on the common goal, while also resolving internal conflicts between the various group members.

Although all leaders have these characteristics in common, there are different types of leadership. Some of them involve prioritizing personal benefits over the needs of the group. Others use manipulative tactics, while others behave arrogantly and narcissistically.

On the other hand, a person who practices empathic leadership is able to put themselves in another person’s place. Empathic leaders also try to understand the needs of the market, as well as that of consumers. By doing this, they are able to give each one a customer exactly what they need.

An empathetic leader can communicate effectively with the rest of the team, and tell them what is needed. They are able to communicate in a way that makes employees want to do the work. Group members should feel that the goals of the company or group are their own.

How to develop empathic leadership?

According to the research, a person who wants to become an empathic leader must develop five, primary skills: Empathy, enthusiasm, warmth, clarity and the ability to set boundaries. Let’s take a look at each of them individually.

1. Empathy

It is obvious that an empathetic leader needs to be able to put himself in another person’s place. However, empathy does not just consist of understanding what another person is thinking on a rational level.

Those who want to develop their empathic leadership skills will need to understand how an action will affect each and every member of the group. 

For many people, this ability to put themselves in another person’s place does not come easily. The latest research shows that it truly is possible for most people to develop empathy.

2. Enthusiasm

A good, empathetic leader is able to motivate and inspire the rest of their team. This is because their way of leading has nothing to do with forcing their colleagues to complete their tasks. Instead,  a good leader uses his abilities to inspire and motivate so that people feel this way.

To achieve this, a person who possesses skills in empathic leadership is able to put his energy and passion into what they say, suggest and do. They do it in such a way that they are role models for their colleagues. 

3. Heat

Since this type of leader is able to put themselves in another person’s place, they are also able to contribute solutions. When they come up with solutions, they are sensitive, fair and also adapted to people’s individual circumstances.

That doesn’t mean they go to work to make friends. Instead,  they are extremely cordial and they know that it takes a warm person to establish relationships with colleagues. This closeness places the leader in a privileged position to reinforce the kind of positive attitude that should prevail in a group.

4. Empathic leadership requires clarity

The empathic leader  must be able to remain calm in complicated, emotional, or stressful situations. In order to lead their team effectively, they need to be an example to them. Therefore, if they let their impulsive side come to light, they may lose the respect of their employees.

5. Ability to set boundaries

The last skill that a person who wants to be an empathetic leader should master is the ability to set personal and professional boundaries. Although they are able to understand the rest of the team members, a good, empathetic leader needs to know how to position themselves and maintain distance when necessary.

Otherwise, the leader will no longer act as a leader. Group members will begin to see the leader as one of them and the leader will lose respect. A person who wants to develop empathic leadership therefore needs to be good at communicating with impact.