Saying Yes to LeadershipWednesday, April 06, 2016
Real change can only come when listening is accompanied with empathy.
These words — listening, empathy — have become so cliché that we acknowledge them as basic truths and move on. Leaders, though, listen on a deep level, with more focus on the other than on oneself, not looking to fix the situation through glib or rushed advice, ready to tackle the next issue. They also listen with deep, soulful empathy — an empathy that can be felt bone-deep. An empathy that moves you to action simply because the feeling of another's experience never leaves you.
By saying yes to leadership, you're saying yes to the hard work of being there for people on a deeper level. Being a empathetic listener demands it.
Originally published January 2014