How to become a more empathetic leader

Empathetic leaders can foster an open, positive workplace environment where employees are encouraged to share their honest thoughts and feelings. But how can leaders improve their empathy? Read on to discover strategies to become more empathetic and explore edX's library of leadership courses for new management insights.

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Why does empathy matter in leadership?

Empathy is an interpersonal skill that refers to feeling the emotions of someone else. This skill can help leaders build stronger workplace relationships by showing they relate to their team members' feelings.

Empathy contributes to an honest, supportive environment where employees are encouraged to talk openly about their feelings and experiences. Whether these emotions are related to personal problems or workplace conflicts, empathetic leadership can make employees feel like essential members of a community rather than cogs in a machine. Studies from the National Libary of Medicine and the Center for Creative Leadership have shown that empathetic leadership may reduce employee burnout in healthcare professions and improve general employee performance.

Traits of an empathetic leader

Everyone has natural strengths and weaknesses when expressing empathy for others. When you're assessing your workplace empathy skills, pay attention to the following traits:

• Active listening: Comprehending someone's message and emotions while reserving judgment can lead to better understanding and communication.
• Compassion: While similar and related to empathy, compassion means demonstrating concern for the negative feelings and experiences of others. Leading with compassion shows that you're willing to take action to help improve someone's well-being.
• Sincerity: People can often tell when you're only saying the right things to alleviate a conflict. Your empathy should, therefore, come from a genuine desire to connect with and support your team.
• Transparency: Being honest with your team about your needs and feelings can help them feel more comfortable expressing their emotions down the line.

Five tips for becoming a more empathetic leader

Anyone can adopt an empathetic type of leadership through intention and practice. Although this isn't an exhaustive list, consider the following steps in order to prioritize empathy in your work processes:

Tip 1: Use “we" pronouns

As a leader, you're also part of the team you manage. Positioning yourself alongside your team using “we" or “us" pronouns instead of “I" or “me" can make them feel like you're all facing the same day-to-day challenges and that you can empathize with the resulting emotions.

Tip 2: Discuss empathy with your team

Many people value knowing that their workplace prioritizes empathy. By simply discussing your intentions with your coworkers, they can better identify your efforts to empathize with their feelings.

Tip 3: Explore mindfulness techniques

When speaking with an employee, focusing squarely on what they're saying can be challenging. You may have many thoughts rushing through your mind — your response, snap judgments, or general distractions. Mindfulness techniques may help you exist in the moment and engage fully with the person's emotions.

Tip 4: Be aware of your biases

You may not even realize that biases about someone's identities or experiences may inhibit your ability to feel empathy for them. Therefore, identifying and addressing these implicit biases can allow you to consciously put effort into empathizing with your coworkers. This acknowledgment may help you empathize with everyone — not just those who look, talk, or act like you.

Tip 5: Ask for feedback

You'll never know how empathetic you are until you hear how your team feels about your empathy skills. Asking them can help you better understand how your empathy can improve or how it affects your team's emotional well-being.