Empathy can be defined as showing people that you understand them and care how they feel. That sounds simple enough. But why is showing empathy—especially in the workplace—so hard? Everyone in the workplace values empathy and recognizes empathy as key to driving performance outcomes. The top four perceived benefits of being an empathetic organization are: Yet, for … Read more
At its core, leadership is a relationship. It’s no secret that connection is a key leadership skill. If you can’t connect well, you can’t lead well. There are many practices to strengthen connection with those you lead. However, the most powerful is the keystone habit of empathy. Empathy–showing people that you understand them and that … Read more
Have you made a mistake at work? I’ve asked that question to numerous groups of leaders. Every hand in the room goes up. We all make mistakes. Yet why are they hard to admit? Because admitting them causes us pain. Psychologists call it cognitive dissonance: the stress caused from holding two ore more contradictory beliefs … Read more
Kent has resorted to complaining and alcohol. A senior IT leader for a global manufacturing company, Kent was asked to lead IT for an entire division two years ago. Given his fifteen years of service with the company, Kent felt it was an ideal next step on his professional journey. Then, eight months ago, Kathy, … Read more
Leadership is a process of influencing others to willingly work towards a shared purpose. Part of that job is communicating what that purpose is. Too many leaders go about this the wrong way. Consider Fernando. A senior finance director for a large multinational based in Mexico City, Fernando has always been in leadership roles for more … Read more
Becky had a simple job to do. Becky, a senior leader at her company, was to meet Will, a much more junior employee. Becky and Will had never met before. Becky’s job? Engage Will in a thirty-minute conversation. But this was no ordinary chat. Becky was in the middle of a two-day leadership … Read more
Do you care what people think about you? Of course you do.We live in an age of easy access to information. This access gives your customers a multitude of choices as to where to get their needs met.What separates you from your competitor?It’s not the quality or cost of your product or service. It’s the … Read more
Are you on a team that’s only a team in name only? If so, you’re not alone.This past week, I worked with a Executive Operating Committee (EOC) of a global pharmaceutical organization. Twenty persons strong, EOC members had flown into New York City from around the world to spend two days together. The EOC has … Read more
It was supposed to go like any other conference call.I dialed in to meet with Meg, Pam, Roger, and Shari – four executives from a biotech organization. On the back end of a merger, the company had brought me in to help the two legacy marketing departments collaborate more effectively. Our phone meeting was a … Read more
Last Wednesday was a sunny, crisp, beautiful Fall New England morning. That’s when it all went terribly wrong.It was already 8:10 am, and I was hurrying to get Miranda, my nine-year old daughter to school on time.Her school’s about a mile from home, and thus far this school year, we’ve been riding our bicycles to … Read more
