Empathy and Its Role in Leadership
In short, empathy is the ability to understand other people’s emotions. However, it does not mean “jumping” into their emotions, but rather reading the body language, listening closely, and acting accordingly. An empathetic leader does not seek to become a “crutch” for their employee. Instead, he or she tries to bring out the best in the said employee and help them through guidance and mentorship.
Communication and Its Role in Leadership
Generally speaking, communication is an exchange of information, which goes beyond verbal information and includes body language, intonation, facial expressions, and much more. Communication is vital to cultivating good leadership because it allows for fair power distribution and building symmetrical relationships. The same goes for external relationships because, for many businesses, external partnerships are the backbone of their operations. In the modern environment, it is also increasingly important to know how to relate to different cultures because the workforce is becoming more diverse than ever. Therefore, it is a must to learn communication tactics that would be taken well by people with different cultural backgrounds.
The Synergy of Empathy and Communication and Its Effect
Communication and empathy are two interlocking concepts that exert the best influence when exercised together. For example, leaders who announce the open door policy right away display both empathy and well-developed communication skills, which puts subordinates at ease. Another manifestation of communication and empathy is nurturing employees and tending to their needs. As a result, leaders secure employees’ long-term commitment to the company.