SCRIPTURE: “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” (Romans 12:15 KJV)
QUOTE: “Empathy is seeing with the eyes of another, listening with the ears of another and feeling with the heart of another.” – Alfred Adler
NOTE:
Empathy in leadership refers to the ability of a leader to understand and share the feelings of their team members. An example could be a manager who takes the time to listen to his team members’ concerns, and actively work to address them, rather than just giving orders and expecting them to be carried out. Another example could be a leader who recognizes when a team member is going through a difficult time, such as a personal loss, and provides support and understanding, rather than expecting them to perform at the same level as usual. A leader who can empathize with their team members will earn their trust and respect and as a result build a very innovative optimum performing team. Making an effort to understand the perspectives and feelings of those you lead go a long way to show your team members you are not only concerned about what they produce but much more their state in the process of production. This is the sharp difference between the transactional leader and the transformational leader.
ILLUSTRATION:
During the European refugee crisis in 2015, Chancellor Merkel showed empathy for the thousands of refugees fleeing war and persecution in their home countries. She famously stated that “We can do it,” and opened Germany’s borders to refugees, despite the potential political backlash for fear of insecurities that was rife then. Merkel also advocated for a fair distribution of refugees across European Union member States, and for a humane and compassionate approach to the crisis. Her empathetic leadership has been widely recognized and has helped her maintain high approval ratings.
REFLECTION:
- What’s your leadership style?
- With your current style, can you lead innovative teams?
TWO YEAR BIBLE READING: Catch-up Day, Psalm 74