For all aspects in our lives, empathy is a critical skill and never so important in leadership as it is today, with highly complex working environments, diverse groups of people working more collaboratively. With technology driving huge change in the types of roles that will be required over the coming years, a high focus and demand is now seen for highly relationship driven people (as leaders and peers), who can influence and affect the achievement of common goals / business outcomes.
1. Put yourself in someone else’s shoes – What is their world view and how does it differ from your own?
2. Be aware and examine your own subconcious for judgements / bias and your belief systems that may influence how you interface with others – do you have hidden bias?
3. Take the time to get to know what matters to others and then challenge yourself to engage on this level – do you really know what matters to your people?
4. Become curious and interested in others and what makes them tick – are you asking the right questions?
5. Communicate on people’s level and in their language – are you truly connecting and compelling in your engagement?
Not sure how developed your empathy is? Take the below quiz and find out:
Michelle & Wayne are Co-Directors and Founders of Fusion Partners, delivering consulting and recruitment services.
