4-Step Approach to Practicing Empathy
Who is one of the best examples of modern leaders?
Yoda.
The Star Wars icon is one of the most emotionally intelligent characters ever created. To succeed in the future, leaders must channel their inner Yoda and be emotionally intelligent.
Emotional intelligence has two main components: empathy and self-awareness. Empathy is understanding the feelings and emotions of another person and putting yourself in their shoes.
Self-awareness is being aware of your emotions, state of mind, feelings, and desires and understanding how others perceive you.
Great leaders create real connections and relationships and understand their employees and colleagues as people, not just workers. They create a more human organization, and empathy is the cornerstone to making that happen. Similarly, self-awareness makes leaders better communicators and strengthens their relationships.
Together, empathy and self-awareness create Yoda-like emotional intelligence that helps leaders design better products and services, create psychological safety, motivate and inspire others, resolve conflicts, increase productivity, and more.
Emotional intelligence expert Dr. Brené Brown created a four-step approach to practicing empathy that every leader can practice:
- Perspective taking, or putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. Imagine things from their point of view.
- Stay out of judgment and listen. Don’t rush into judgment; focus on listening to the other person.
- Recognize the emotion the other person is feeling. Think of a time you have felt similarly.
- Communicate that you recognize that emotion. Sharing understanding builds trust and connection.
Empathy is fundamental to becoming emotionally intelligent and building strong relationships. But it takes practice. Following these four steps as you interact with employees, colleagues, and friends will help you develop empathy and become more like Yoda.
Over the last 15 years, I’ve had the privilege of speaking and working with some of the world’s top leaders. Here are 15 of the best leadership lessons that I learned from the CEOs of organizations like Netflix, Honeywell, Volvo, Best Buy, The Home Depot, and others. I hope they inspire you and give you things you can try in your work and life. Get the PDF here.
