5 Practices to Help You Develop Empathy in Authentic Leadership

Leadership is often about understanding and connecting with people. It's about building relationships and inspiring others to achieve their best. And a key ingredient in any leadership recipe is empathy.

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. It's about standing in someone else's shoes, seeing things from their perspective, and feeling what they feel. Empathy is a vital leadership quality because it allows leaders to connect with their team members in meaningful ways. With empathy, leaders can build trust, resolve conflict, and create a more positive and productive work environment.

Authentic leaders are those who are true to themselves and their values. They are also transparent, honest, and sincere in their interactions with others. Furthermore, authentic leaders deeply understand their followers' needs and concerns. As a result, empathy is an essential component of authentic leadership.

Empathy is often seen as a natural ability you either have or don't. However, empathy is a skill that can be learned through practice and reflection. You'll be better equipped to build strong relationships and lead effectively by developing empathy skills. Here are five empathy practices for leaders:

1. Be aware of your own emotions

Self-awareness is essential to developing and practicing an authentic leadership style. To be empathetic, you must first be aware of your own emotions. Pay attention to how you're feeling and why. This will help you understand how your emotions affect your interactions with others. Learning to be more emotionally aware will increase your understanding of how your emotions affect others.

When you are aware of your emotions, you'll be able to relate better to others because you understand yourself better. This will contribute to your genuine expression of leading.

2. Listen with your whole body

You must be in the moment yourself to be fully present with someone. That means being present physically and mentally. Be aware of your body language and facial expressions. And most importantly, focus your attention on the other person without letting your mind wander. When someone is talking to you, give them your full attention. Put away your phone, make eye contact, and nod or smile occasionally to show you're engaged. This simple act of listening will make the other person feel valued and heard.

Active listening is a way of showing that you're genuinely engaged in a conversation. It involves making an effort to understand the other person's point of view. When actively listening, you're not just hearing the words being said - you're also trying to comprehend their meaning. To practice active listening, restate what the other person has said in your own words. This will help ensure that you've understood them correctly and show that you're interested in what they say.

3. Ask open-ended questions

Open-ended questions are those that can't be answered with a simple "yes" or "no." They encourage the other person to share more information and give you a better sense of their thoughts and feelings. Asking questions helps you to get to know the other person better and demonstrates that you care about their thoughts and feelings. Don't turn your questions into an interrogation if you want to truly make another feel heard and understood. Use open-ended questions wisely, and you can build stronger professional relationships.

4. Seek out diverse perspectives

When it comes to understanding other perspectives and backgrounds, there are no one-size fits all approaches. Whether we realize it or not, we are constantly making judgments about the people around us. Talk with people who are different from you - those with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and points of view. Talking with someone from a different background or holding a conversation with someone whose opinions we don't necessarily agree with can be difficult but ultimately hugely rewarding. When you open yourself up to hearing new ideas and perspectives, you'll better understand the world around you. You'll also be better equipped to empathize with others, even those who are different from you.

By seeking diverse perspectives, you will open new communication channels and learn more about how others see life and work. Illuminating the views of others can help build bridges of understanding, respect, and cooperation.

5. Practice empathy in everyday interactions

I worked at a cash register in a busy hot-weather snack bar when I was younger. It was always a difficult job, but it was incredibly challenging when the customer was angry. I would try my best to listen and understand their point of view, but it was never easy.

Thankfully, I learned a lot about empathy through role-playing. My manager would put me in different situations and have me take on different roles. This helped me better understand what the customer was going through. Now that I'm older, I still find myself using these skills in my everyday life. Empathy is always essential whether talking to a colleague or trying to resolve an issue with an organization. It's the key to understanding others and creating meaningful connections with them.

The bottom line is that empathy makes good business sense. When leaders prioritize empathy, they create a work environment where employees feel valued and respected and where diverse perspectives are welcomed. This leads to improved communication, increased creativity and innovation, and, ultimately, better business results. 

When leaders practice active listening, ask open-ended questions, seek out diverse perspectives, and empathize in their everyday interactions, they are better equipped to understand others. This understanding can lead to a more authentic leadership style that is based on trust and mutual respect. To become a more effective leader, start by developing your empathy skills. 

What actions are you taking to improve your ability to connect with others? Asking yourself this question regularly will help you to develop the empathy skills that are essential for authentic and effective leadership.