Creative Coaching

Empathy - an Essential Leadership Skill

Empathy is the art of comprehending the needs and desires of others - appreciating different views and perspectives. Empathetic leaders are among the most successful as they understand that empathy is an essential leadership competency. The difference between empathy and sympathy is worth exploring a little to avoid giving mixed messages: sympathy are the feelings of pity and sorry for someone else’s misfortunes – in other words, joining them in their grief/problem/challenge – potentially losing objectivity. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another while remaining removed from their situation – retaining objectivity. Being empathetic doesn’t mean you have to agree with everyone else all the time, it is about demonstrating a willingness to take on board the opinions of others – to hear them.

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Posted on Tue, June 26, 2018 in Leadership