The Power of Leading With Compassion and Empathy

Approaching your team with kindness and understanding encourages them to speak up, celebrate their wins, and do their best work.

When leaders approach their teams with compassion and empathy, it makes a difference at both the individual and organizational levels. A study from the University of Pennsylvania found that when leaders are grateful to their employees, those employees are 50 percent more successful. Another study showed that when individuals were met with active listening and empathy, they felt more understood than participants who received advice.

“Leadership should feel transformational, and not transactional,” Robert Vecchiotti, Ph.D, business advisor and executive coach, tells Thrive. While a transactional style of leadership leaves little room for compassion and belonging, transformational leadership helps employees feel seen and heard. “Qualities like emotional intelligence and kindness are an important starting point,” he explains.

If you’re looking for small ways to lead your team with compassion and empathy, try these tips to get started:
 

Open a meeting with a personal question rather than a work-related one.

Respecting your teammates as whole humans and taking an interest in their personal lives increases emotional well-being and boosts happiness. Plus, Vecchiotti says taking this time to establish trust and comfort can help create a more welcoming work environment. “If you have a leader you can trust, then you are in a candid and collaborative environment,” he explains. So don’t be afraid to establish that trust and interest early on.
 

Take a moment to celebrate a team member’s accomplishment.

There’s power in celebrating our small wins — and by taking time to highlight someone else’s recent accomplishment, you’re able to set the stage for an environment of gratitude and joy. “Celebrating small successes is key,” Vecchiotti says. “Building on those can lead to major milestones.” 

Practice active listening.

Resist the urge to share advice or propose a solution when someone on your team is sharing something vulnerable, even if your intention is to be helpful. Instead, Vecchiotti suggests working on active listening. “Emotional intelligence plays a big role in leadership,” he says. “You have to start with listening, and really hear what others are telling you.”
 

Express your gratitude at the beginning of your next meeting.

Expressing gratitude toward your team members and thanking them for their contributions is a great habit for compassionate leaders to build. In fact, showing gratitude can lead to greater motivation and improved performance while assuring people that they matter. “A positive attitude leads to a more inclusive culture,” Vecchiotti says. “The more diverse the culture, the stronger the culture is.”
 

Schedule a regular touch-base for your team.

Simply checking in regularly can be a powerful way to show team members you care about what they’re working on and what’s on their mind. Vecchiotti calls this “ongoing performance management,” and says that checking in regularly is an important part of compassionate leadership. “If somebody is doing well, tell them,” he suggests. “And if there's a need for feedback, don’t wait until their annual performance review.”