Curiosity Collective #013

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1 Thing I Am Curious About

What holds leaders back from leading with empathy & emotional intelligence?

2 Quotes That I Am Thinking About

1. "Emotional intelligence is not the opposite of intelligence, it is not the triumph of heart over head -- it is the unique intersection of both." - David Caruso

2. "Empathy is about standing in someone else's shoes, feeling with his or her heart, seeing with his or her eyes. Not only is empathy hard to outsource and automate, but it makes the world a better place." - Daniel H. Pink

The Invisible Wall: Unmasking the Barriers to Empathetic Leadership

Have you ever wondered why some leaders inspire devotion and respect while others can't seem to connect? 

The answer is frequently traced back to empathy and emotional intelligence.

The Unseen Barrier

Imagine you're trying to navigate through a foggy forest. It's easy to lose your way, isn't it?

For many leaders, the world of emotions is like this foggy forest - unclear, intimidating, and full of unseen barriers.

Now, this isn't to paint our leaders as cold-hearted robots. Rather, it's an acknowledgment of an issue many are unaware of.

The unseen barrier? A lack of empathy and emotional intelligence.

According to a 2020 study by the Center for Creative Leadership, organizations with empathetic leaders have a 40% higher retention rate.

In addition, a survey by the Korn Ferry Institute found that companies with emotionally intelligent leaders had a 20% increase in productivity.

Can you imagine the possibilities if more leaders embraced empathy and emotional intelligence?

Why Some Leaders Struggle to Lead with Empathy

Let's consider two points of view. On one side, we have leaders who believe that emotions have no place in the workplace.

After all, business is business, right?

On the other side, we have leaders who recognize the importance of emotions but have no idea how to handle them.

What if I told you that these perspectives are outdated and damaging? 

What if we could rewrite the narrative?

Leading with Empathy and Emotional Intelligence

Empathy and emotional intelligence are not just 'nice-to-haves.' They are crucial elements of effective leadership and our teams and employees expect it.

The good news is that these skills can be developed and improved, much like any other skill.

If we embrace empathy and emotional intelligence it can transform not just individual leaders, but entire organizations.

Practical Tips for Leading with Empathy and Emotional Intelligence

Now that we've walked through the foggy forest together, let's clear the path. Here are three practical tips to enhance your leadership with empathy and emotional intelligence:

1. Embrace Emotional Literacy: Understanding your own emotions and those of others is key. Try journaling your emotions daily and make a conscious effort to understand the emotions of your team members.

2. Practice Active Listening: When communicating with your team, focus on understanding their perspective fully before responding. Remember, empathy isn't about agreeing, but about understanding.

3. Create an Emotionally Safe Environment: Encourage open dialogue about emotions in the workplace. This will help build trust and create an environment where empathy can thrive.

Unveiling the Empathetic Leaders of Tomorrow

We've been thinking about leadership all wrong.

It's not about keeping a stiff upper lip or maintaining an unapproachable facade. It's about connection, understanding, and empathy.

Remember the foggy forest we talked about earlier?

Imagine how much easier it would be to navigate with a clear path and a reliable compass. That's what empathy and emotional intelligence can offer to leaders.

Are you ready to tear down the invisible wall and step into the future of leadership?

Breaking Through the Invisible Wall

The invisible wall of a lack of empathy and emotional intelligence is a tough barrier. But it's not insurmountable.

By acknowledging the problem, understanding its impacts, and embracing practical solutions, we can start to dismantle this wall, brick by brick.

We have the power to make a difference. Let's use that power to create change that will benefit not just us, but everyone around us.

Work with John:

• Coaching: I will work with you 1:1 to help you grow and transform by creating systems, identifying priorities, and executing your goals. If you're interested, please reply to this email with "coaching" or you can book a FREE discovery call here: https://calendly.com/authenticallylead/discovery-coaching-call 

• Writing: I will write for you about leadership, mental health, and/or employee well-being. If you are interested, please reply to this email with "writing."

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