To try and understand why leaders acting with empathy are so successful nowadays I started by looking at the definition of Empathy (and I share more about this fundamental trait in these articles here and here ) :
“The action of understanding, being aware of, being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts, and experience of another.”

At a time when everything seems to happen with such little opportunity for us to control speed or direction, being understood, having our team leader being sensitive to our discomfort and uncertainty is such a fundamental element. It allows any team member to feel understood and as a direct consequence feel part of the team, feel it is worth being in that team, feeling that I belong here, that I want to contribute to the success of this team.

Empathy unifies people in a team, organization. It creates stronger support through which your motivation raises but also your willingness to innovate, to take intelligent risks, to try things out increases dramatically.

And today and tomorrow’s companies desperately need that confidence in the future, that daring attitude, that working together with full engagement. So that’s where empathy becomes such a super power.

You don’t naturally feel empathy? Aware of just how important this element is at this time of uncertainty, then look for team members who do have that trait and put them in a position of influence, complementing your own other leadership skills.