Leading With Empathy In Difficult Times

By author Sherry Stewart Deutschmann

If you’ve read my book, Lunch with Lucy, or any of my blogs already, you’ll know I believe that empathy—the ability to see a situation through the eyes of another—is a vital trait for business leaders to develop and to nurture in others. But during especially hard times, our “fight or flight” impulses can take over and we might tend toward self-preservation, creating a situation that makes it even harder for those around us.

What to do?

As a serial entrepreneur, I believe it is the absolute responsibility and privilege of business owners and leaders to put the needs of our employees before the needs of the customer, the shareholders, and ourselves. What does that look like in the days of COVID-19…coming close on the heels of devastating tornadoes in my hometown of Nashville, TN?

NOW, MORE THAN EVER, THE NUMBER ONE THING YOU CAN DO IS LISTEN.

It is a basic human need to be heard, to have a voice, to matter…and your people need it now more than ever. Now that business has slowed (or come to a screeching halt for many of us), NOW, TODAY, take the time to listen to your employees. Will it be difficult? Probably. But you need to know the impact to them and their families and you need to hear it directly from them. Don’t do this via text or email. Pick up your phone and call them. Ask a few questions and then shut up and listen.

Read the article here: sherrydeutschmann.com/leading-with-empathy-in-difficult-time