Episode 276: Lead with Empathy in 2025: The 2-Step Shortcut

Written By Erin Diehl
 
 
 

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If you want to be a successful leader in 2025, there’s one skill you can’t afford to ignore—and no, it’s not mastering the latest AI tool or squeezing more productivity out of your team. It’s something far more powerful: empathy. 

But before you roll your eyes and think, I don’t have time for another leadership trend, hear us out. Erin’s not giving you a complicated 10-step process. She’s handing you a shortcut—a simple, two-step framework that will immediately transform the way you lead. Whether you're managing a small team or an entire organization, this approach will create stronger connections, boost engagement, and drive real results. 

Ready to step into your leadership superpower? Let’s dive in

Step 1: Mastering Active Listening

At its essence, empathetic leadership involves active listening and perspective-taking. Active listening requires leaders to be fully present, setting aside distractions to genuinely understand their team members' concerns.  

For instance, when an employee expresses frustration over a project, a leader practicing active listening might respond, "I hear that this project has been overwhelming. Can you tell me more about what’s been the biggest challenge?" This approach not only validates the employee's feelings but also opens the door to collaborative problem-solving.

Step 2: Practicing Perspective-Taking 

Perspective-taking, on the other hand, involves stepping into another's shoes to understand their viewpoint, even if it differs from one's own. In leadership meetings, when a team member proposes a new initiative, instead of dismissing it outright, an empathetic leader would inquire, "I’d love to understand more about how this could benefit the team.  

What results have you seen so far?" This fosters an environment of open dialogue and innovation. 

The Impact of Empathy in the Workplace 

Implementing these practices can lead to tangible benefits. For example, a tech company that integrated active listening and perspective-taking into their leadership approach observed a 25% increase in employee engagement scores within six months.  

Such outcomes underscore the transformative power of empathy in leadership. 

Your Next Steps as an Empathetic Leader 

While the journey toward empathetic leadership may present challenges, starting with small, intentional steps can make a significant difference. In your next interaction, practice active listening and perspective-taking. Notice how these shifts enhance connection and trust within your team. Remember, empathy isn't just a skill—it's a leadership superpower that can unlock your team's full potential. 

If you’re interested in taking one small action right now, you can check out our newest freebie, The Tomorrow Ready Checklist here. Use this checklist to remember who you are, what you stand for, and what you actually want to spend your time doing. 

If you're interested in exploring the theme of empathetic leadership further, we recommend listening to Episode 101: The Rise of the Empathetic Leader with Career Development Visionary Ryan McCrea. In this episode, Ryan McCrea delves into the importance of understanding and sharing the feelings of others in a leadership context. He emphasizes the significance of walking a mile in someone else's shoes and effectively communicating with teams during challenging times. This discussion aligns closely with our current focus on empathy as a leadership superpower in 2025.

No, You Hang Up First (Let’s Keep Connecting) 

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Connect with Erin Diehl x improve it! 

 
Erin Diehl
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Episode 275: From Hot Mess to Goal-Getter: Real Talk on Intentions