The Art Of Being An Empathetic Leader

When we talk about an empathetic leader, we are not talking about any kind of leader. Companies require that people who are able to take on a leadership role, especially empathic leadership, hold positions of great responsibility.

But how do we distinguish empathic leadership from other types of leadership? Can we learn to lead in this way, or is it something we are born with? In today’s article, we answer these questions.

What makes you an empathetic leader?

Leadership is the ability to manage a group of people or an organization. A leader must establish a clear vision of what goals are to be achieved. They must also motivate employees to work towards this common goal, while resolving internal conflicts between different group members.

But while all leaders have these qualities in common, there are different types of leadership. Some of them involve putting personal benefits ahead of the group’s needs. Some use manipulative tactics, while others act arrogantly and narcissistically.

On the other hand, a person who practices empathic leadership can put himself in another person’s shoes. Empathic leaders also try to understand the needs of the market as well as the consumers. By doing this, they can give each client 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 the team want and do the job. Employees should feel as if the goals of the company or group are their own.

How do you become an empathetic leader?

According to research, a person who wants to be an empathic leader must develop five main skills : empathy, enthusiasm, warmth, calmness and the ability to set boundaries. Let’s take a look at each of these individually.

1. Empathy

It is clear that an empathetic leader must be able to put himself in another person’s shoes. However, empathy does not just consist of understanding what another person is thinking on a rational level. Someone who wants to develop their empathic leadership skills must understand how an action will affect each member of the team.

For many people, this ability to put themselves in other people’s shoes will not come easily. However, the latest research shows that it is possible for most people to develop empathy.

2. Enthusiasm

A good empathetic leader is able to motivate and inspire the rest of his team. This is because the manager should not force his colleagues to complete tasks. Instead, a good leader uses his ability to inspire and motivate to make people feel enthusiastic.

To achieve this, a person who has empathic leadership qualities can put energy and passion into what they say, suggest and do. They do this in such a way that they are role models for their colleagues.

3. Heat

Since this type of leader is able to put himself in another person’s shoes, they can also suggest solutions. When they provide solutions, they are sensitive, fair and will also adapt to people’s individual circumstances.

This does not mean that they go to work to make friends. Rather, they are extremely cordial and know that it takes a warm person to establish relationships with colleagues. This closeness places the leader in a privileged place to strengthen the kind of positive attitudes that should influence a group.

4. An empathetic leader must be sincere

The empathetic leader must be able to be calm in complicated, emotional or stressful situations. To effectively lead their team, they must be an example to them. Therefore, if they let them see its impulsive side, they may lose the respect of the employees.

5. The ability to set boundaries

The last skill that a person who wants to be an empathic leader must master is the ability to set personal and professional boundaries. Even if they are able to understand the rest of the team, a good empathetic leader must know how to get involved and how to maintain distance when necessary.

Otherwise, the leader will no longer act as a leader. The team will begin to see the leader as one of them, and the leader will lose respect. Therefore, a person who wants to develop empathic leadership must be good at communicating with confidence.