For years, we’ve heard the need for leaders to strike a balance between both hard, technical skills and soft skills, such as emotional intelligence and compassion. But this year the need for those so-called soft skills really came to the forefront in the form of empathy. Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser called empathy a competitive advantage and Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said empathy is “the source of all innovation.”
Much of the spotlight on empathy came in response to workers feeling burnt out and in a state of discontent – largely driven by the desire to regain control over parts of their lives amid the uncertainty of the last two years. That spurred leaders to dig deeper, both professionally and personally, to examine how they could meet their employees where they’re at.
While the idea of what empathy looks like at work keeps evolving, here’s some of what we learned this year.
Blogs on Empathy
Our brains love stories, and narratives can be a great way to cut through team distractions, help people remember complex project details with greater accuracy, and guide us to work better together.
Stop Telling Managers to Be Empathetic. Try This Instead.
Dr. David Rock in Fast Company
Still confused about what empathy means at your organization? Get clarity and add this important tool to help leaders and team members spot problems and feel more energized.
This ‘Soft’ Leadership Trait Wins at War and at the OfficeJoy VerPlanck D.E.T.
One soft skill has a place on the battlefield, the boardroom, the breakroom, and the Zoom room. In this blog, immerse yourself in stories that illustrate the benefits of compassion in any setting.
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