4 Ways Cultivating Empathy Unleashes Better Decision-Making
Introduction
In today’s fast-paced and complex world, effective leadership requires more than just technical skills and strategic thinking. It demands a deep understanding of people, their motivations, and the underlying dynamics that shape organizational behavior.
I once had a client that was going through a company wide business process and systems redesign. There was one group – a team of engineers that were stationed in a separate location and kind of did their own thing.
They, already being away from the central location and thought of as outliers were very resistant to key changes.
I was brought in to help understand their concerns and ultimately create alignment and buy-in for the redesign.
This project was relatively early in my career and I learned then how far empathy can go.
Before I arrived at the engineers’ site I was briefed on how stuck in their ways they were and how they had their own culture and way of doing things that was different from the rest of the company.
Being an engineer myself I kind of felt for them as I feel like we sometimes get incorrectly pigeon-holed.
After a few days onsite it became clear to me that while the team loved their independence and having their own flow, they wanted to feel more apart of the larger organization. They wanted to feel heard and valued for the large contribution they were to the company.
So I did just that. I served as an intermediary for listening to their concerns and needs and relayed their message to the steering committee whom took heed.
Within three weeks the edits they needed for the redesign to support their work were signed off on and the project was able to move forward.
At the time, I was confused as to why there was such a huge breakdown (and build up) around this team and adoption to change. I now realize a key component was missing – empathy.
For many years in my career I was the person that came in and created alignment and buy-in when there seemed to be none. 9 out of 10 times (maybe more) a breakdown in communication do to lack of understanding by both parties and feelings getting hurt (yes, it’s business but humans and emotions go hand in hand).
I have learned one key lesson through all of this – by cultivating empathy, leaders can gain invaluable insights, build stronger relationships, and make better informed strategic decisions.
This at times requires slowing down and going deep (to go fast).
The Power of Depth
Going deep means delving beyond the surface-level information and metrics that often dominate decision-making. It involves exploring the unspoken dynamics, emotions, and underlying motivations that influence individuals and teams.
By taking the time to sense these deeper layers, leaders can uncover hidden opportunities, address underlying challenges, and foster a more productive and harmonious work environment.
Here are a few ways going deep can support your leadership:
Understand Biases
One of the most significant barriers to effective leadership is unconscious bias. Biases create blind spots in interacting with our team and stakeholders, making decisions, and assessing opportunities.
The most prevalent example in leadership today is regarding creating inclusive teams and environments. This same bias that can have a leader overlook a qualified candidate due to their name can have the same leader miss a strategic opportunity right in front of them.
Building Stronger Relationships
Empathy is the cornerstone of strong relationships. By understanding the perspectives, emotions, and experiences of others, leaders can foster trust, respect, and a sense of belonging. This not only improves team morale but also enhances collaboration and productivity.
When leaders demonstrate empathy, they show their team members that they care about their well-being and are committed to creating a positive work environment. This can lead to increased employee engagement, higher job satisfaction, and improved performance.
Additionally, empathetic leaders are often more effective at resolving conflicts and building consensus among team members.
Identifying and Addressing Organizational Issues
Going deep allows leaders to uncover the underlying causes of organizational problems, rather than simply treating the symptoms. By understanding the root causes, leaders can develop more targeted and effective solutions. For example, if high employee turnover is a persistent issue, going deep might reveal underlying factors such as a unhealthy work culture, lack of career development opportunities, or inadequate compensation.
By addressing the root causes of problems, leaders can create lasting change and avoid recurring issues. This can save the organization time, money, and resources, while also improving employee morale and productivity. Furthermore, addressing the root causes can help to prevent future problems from arising, leading to a more stable and resilient organization.
Making Better Decisions Under Pressure
In today’s fast-paced business environment, leaders are often faced with making critical decisions under tight deadlines. By cultivating empathy, leaders can approach these situations with a more balanced and thoughtful perspective. Empathy helps us to consider the potential consequences of our actions on others, avoid impulsive decisions, and make choices that align with our organization’s values.
When leaders make decisions based on empathy, they are more likely to consider the long-term implications of their choices and avoid short-sighted solutions. This can help them create sustainable strategies that benefit both the organization and its stakeholders.
Additionally, empathetic leaders are often better able to navigate complex situations and find creative solutions to challenges.
Conclusion
In a world that often rewards speed and efficiency, it can be tempting to prioritize quick fixes and superficial solutions. However, by slowing down and going deep, leaders can unlock the power of empathy and gain a deeper understanding of their teams, their organizations, and themselves. This deeper understanding can lead to more informed decisions, stronger relationships, and ultimately, greater success.
Empathy is not just a soft skill; it is a critical leadership competency that can help organizations thrive in today’s complex and rapidly changing world. By cultivating empathy, leaders can create a more positive, productive, and sustainable work environment for themselves and their teams.
Our Dynamic Communication workshop teaches value-driven leaders a proven framework for viewing an issue or problem through an empathetic lens, cultivating empathy, and creating results.
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Hello, my name is Tiffany. My mission is to help you find soul-aligned solutions to birthing your vision on this planet.