In episode 165, “Lead with Empathy”, we discuss how to step into a leadership role in a positive way. Learn how to approach tough topics while creating a safe, open space for those you lead. We begin our book study mini series over Dale Carnegie’s book, “How to Win Friends and Influence People in the Digital Age” in episode 151. Learn how to develop soft skills needed to have a positive impact, lead others well, and help point others to Christ.
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Begin on a Positive Note
Whether stepping into a leadership role for the first time or the fiftieth time, challenges will always present themselves. This episode is here to equip you in a way that helps you lead with empathy while building the team you need for success. These tips and strategies work in any environment, so if you’re the CEO of your company or your household, this episode will help you.
PRO TIP: Begin positively. In leadership, you will be the bearer of bad news, but you are also the deliverer of good news too! There will be times you have to define reality, create new normals, and revamp programs. Delivery is key, and defining reality doesn’t have to be negative. You must find a way to have a positive spin on whatever news you tell your staff. Here are some quick tips we cover in episode 165:
- stick to the facts
- preface well
- set the stage
- don’t be fake
- lay out a plan
- emphasize your help
- end on a thank you
In this episode we go over how to have these tough conversations, and what to do when pushback arises. Keep in mind that servant leadership is the best way to go. The perfect example of this is Jesus Christ and how He lead by serving others. How can you help your team? What ways can you serve them or take things off their plate? Are you listening to them and guiding them in a Christlike manner? All food for thought as you lead.
“Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more.”
Luke 12:48
Audience Empathy
As a leader, knowing the temperature of your people is vital. You must be able to put yourself in their shoes. This comes with asking great questions, following up, and truly caring about the people working under you (this includes your household too). As change comes, knowing the personalities of the crew will help you know how to deliver the information. One size does not fit all. We cover different strategies in episode 165, “Lead with Empathy”, so be sure to scroll back up and press play.
As with life, we are on both giving and receiving ends of leadership. There is always someone who has authority over us (Hey, God), and we’ve been placed to guide those under us. Responsibility falls on both parties when dealing with change. We touch on this in the episode, so we wanted to include this here in case that strikes a chord with you.
PRO TIP: Being genuine matters. The praise you offer must be genuine and heartfelt. Always include what people are doing well on a macro and micro level. Be able to connect these wins to how that strength will play a role in solving the team problem. As we grow our teams, it’s important to be able to show them how they’re doing well aldon with advice on moving forward. Make it your mission to make sure they feel confident moving onto the next task.
Acknowledge Your Baggage
Leaders are human too, and your team needs to see this in you. Leaders shouldn’t be these untouchable bosses that don’t make mistakes. Being a relatable human earns more trust than a closed up person. This means being vulnerable and honest as the moment come along.
PRO TIP: Be vulnerable. We’re not talking about unrelated unhealthy vulnerability. We are talking about how your previous experience in the field ties into how your team can grow and learn from your mistakes and learned wisdom. Connect wit your past self to their present self with empathy. Admit where you made mistakes in the past in order to help the other person see what they can do to grow. This makes you more approachable and relatable when they come against a new hurdle. Try some these phrases (again, scroll back up and press play to hear how this works best):
- “Here’s what I’ve done in the past…”
- “Here’s what others have tried…”
Spur Each Other On
Encouraging your team with healthy, friendly competition can be a fun way to bond and grow. This does not mean driving wedges, building cliques, or provoking rivalries. This needs to have a lot of tactical thinking behind it. Here are some ways this can look:
- company cook off/bake off
- weight loss competition
- office decoration contest
Yes, there is a time and place to compare scores/sales/etc, but keeping the friendly competition in the mix will make it all more enjoyable (and may be some of their favorite memories too).
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works”
Hebrews 10:24
We hope you enjoyed episode 165, “Lead with Empathy” and that you have practical, actionable steps you can take. Be sure to check out this entire How to Win Friends mini series about how to have a positive impact, lead others well, and help point others to Christ. You can do this! We’re here to help. Click the affiliate image below to get your copy of Dale Carnegies’ book.
