If I were to ask you what one single leadership skill you’ve had to exercise the most in the last year, I’d venture to say that EMPATHY would be up there.
What else would be on your list? Resilience. Strategy. Connection. Communication. Patience, Humanity?
All of the above and more?
As I talk to leaders around the country, I’m hearing the word EMPATHY more than ever before. In most cases (I only talk to smart leaders) I’m also hearing the words humanity and humility.
But what is empathy? It’s the ability to step into the shoes of another person, aiming to understand their feelings and perspectives and it’s done by feeling what they are feeling.
It’s emotional. You can feel what they feel.
Sympathy is closely related but is more of intellectual understanding of a feeling than the feeling itself.
We need a little of both right now.
You need to have a basis for understanding what your colleagues, employees and customers are feeling right now and then use that understanding to guide your next actions. It’s understanding their “why” rather than your own.
I’ve never experienced such an emotional time, and chances are neither have you. The pandemic has surfaced a lot about what we don’t know in the area of emotional intelligence and forced so many people into “needing to know” now.
Kudos to you in all your efforts to keep your staff and your customers as happy and as stress-free as you can during this stressful time.
Years ago I learned this valuable lesson from another trainer. He said “Yes! You must learn to walk a mile in someone else’s moccasins – but please, take off your own first!”
Three things for you today: Wishing you a HAPPY NEW YEAR – You can see my message to you here. https://vimeo.com/497392290
And please sign up on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ReturnOnHappiness/ or connect with me on https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannabrandi/ to get the “ABC’s of Positive Leadership I refer to in the video.
PS And if you want to start the year by delving into the character strengths and virtues that are going to support your growth this year join me here for a complimentary (no sales involved) 25 minute session discuss how to bring your best self to work. www.PositiveLeadershipCoach.com
All the best to you in the New year and beyond!
JoAnna
