Compassion & Empathy: In Building Leadership
When asked what is the most key element in leadership, I heard two words that are rarely expressed in business: Empathy and Compassion.
Empathy is to think of wearing somebody else’s shoes
A friend of yours has always shared a problem with you, and you say, "Oh, I know how you feel?" Okay, that's sort of empathy.
Compassion is to wear someone else’s shoes or walking the distance
You are being compassionate when you rely on what you think or believe for others.
Clearly put, Compassion= Empathy+Action
The greatest gap we have in our culture and in the world right now is a lack of empathy. We need people to be allowed to step in someone else's shoes and explore the world from their eyes.
Importance Of Compassion In Building Leadership
Demonstrating compassion would mean partnering with the colleagues:
Most people believe that being caring would mean agreeing with something done by
subordinates, which is not true. One should still be compassionate and at the same time not
protect the quality of the subordinate.
A successful leader will also make comments like, "I think you've landed in a very tough position because of yourself, I really feel for you. Good luck to you.
Being generous means that you can not keep people responsible:
This is the wrong way of thinking. You should be forgiving, and at the same time, you should keep people responsible for not meeting the high expectations set for them. A successful leader will specifically clarify the desires of the followers in terms of their actions, assumptions, and consequence. Frequent evaluations will be carried out. This should be assured that the followers grasp the expectations set for them.
Being compassionate means falling into a spider trap:
Being compassionate doesn't mean you are accountable for other people's feelings. Often you just need to actively listen, distribute your concern for people, and probably help them find answers to non-work concerns. Being caring means that not only do you assist your company and your supporters, but you also serve yourself.
Often leaders express compassion only for the right and lower error men, which is not true.
Compassion will be indicated to all the people who work for you, who are able to act successfully, and who come to you for help while they're in need. And if they are trapped in a difficult situation, a successful leader will seek to react and express concern for them.
Feeling compassionate will promote healthy relationships as well as create a more empathetic workplace environment.
Effective leaders should, therefore, be compassionate. They will ensure that there is consistent and open contact between workers and clients. They are supposed to set an example for others. They should maintain that their emotions are expressed both clearly and passionately.
The influence of his comments and actions on others will be held in mind by a successful and compassionate person. They should be very effective and positive about their feelings. They are expected to drop rigidity and strive to be flexible. It is because being compassionate contributes to a good outlook in the company. This also facilitates good relationships and compensates for the negative effects of favoritism and bias.
In addition, compassionate leaders are great entrepreneurs. A person who has a compassionate quality will still be hopeful. Compassionate leaders are in a fair position to deal with crises, inspire followers to take better action, and are efficient and productive communicators.
How Being Empathetic Is Helpful In Building Leadership
What can be done to become More Empathetic?
Given how empathic is a natural facet of human existence, our desire to express it to those around us is not as complicated as we imagine. One of the main features of empathetic people is their capacity to respond attentively to others around them. One way they do so is by paying closer attention to verbal and non-verbal signals that are part of daily conversation.
Making similar efforts will help you shift the focus from the story that’s in your mind to the actual message that’s being presented.
What part does Empathy have in the leadership? Why does it make a difference?
Let's be fair, when it comes to aspects of successful leadership, such a list rarely includes empathy. However, establishing a sense of compassion in how you direct those in your care provides a variety of benefits:
Empathy makes one feel protected from mistakes because we will not be blamed for them.
It encourages leaders to find the root cause of underperformance.
Being empathetic allows executives to help their suffering workers improve and succeed.
Empathy helps leaders to establish and grow partnerships with those they lead.
It's also essential to mention that the story we are telling in our minds is opposite from the story we are playing in the minds of others. This is only by listening intently to us that we can get to grasp these differences.
Also Read: Building Humanity & Fostering Businesses
Since one of the essentials for fostering empathy is being attentive of what others are doing, I would like to finish this article with these two quotes, which I believe provide an outstanding job of describing the very nature of the role that empathy and compassion plays in leadership:
If you wish to know the mind of a man, listen to his words. – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care. – Theodore Roosevelt
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