Don't let anyone coach it out of you
"You have changed my views on empathetic management … and the amount of sparkling water a human can safely consume."
That comment from my former CEO brought out some sudden dust in my eyes.
Hanging onto my leadership style hasn't always felt like the best thing for my career. Sincerely caring about people is often treated like something leaders can indulge in once the real work is handled. It becomes a nice-to-have, tucked behind the things that "actually" move a business. It definitely isn't mission critical to develop.
That's backwards.
Here's how empathy and leading with heart can deliver a ton of business value:
- When you have to deliver hard feedback, people are more likely to reflect and act on it, because they already know you're in their corner and want them to succeed.
- When you mess up a decision or communication, you are given more leeway. People assume good intent because you've consistently shown them your character.
- When you need to ask for more from someone in a hard moment, they are more likely to give it, because they know you are not just trying to extract as much as you can from them for your own benefit.
- And because you know the people around you more deeply, you can spot conflict, communication and engagement issues before others. The ability to see around corners is one hell of a superpower.
None of that just happens because of "niceness."
When leaders have cared about and invested in me when it didn't directly benefit them, their agenda or the business, it made me never want to let them down. That can bring out truly special performance on a team.
Leading with your heart costs you something up front. It pays you back in trust, honesty, and effort you can't manufacture any other way.
Don't let anyone coach it out of you.
Jane Jaxon coaches empathetic leaders, and the executives who believe in them, at Full Heart Leadership. Join the waitlist.