Anton Guinea
Entrepreneur, Speaker, bestselling author, and founder of The Guinea Group of Companies. For over 15 years, Anton has helped leaders move their teams to become psychologically safe, physically safe and overall better versions of themselves.
Empathy is often hailed as a crucial leadership skill. But let’s face it: being genuinely empathetic isn’t easy.
I have been told by leaders that “they were just not born with any empathy”. Which may be true (a very small percentage of the population aren’t). On a bell curve, most are, and it shows up in the early months of life, and we call it compassion – which is part of empathy.
The good news is that empathy is a state, not a trait (aka, a skill that can be learned) with effort and commitment.
Empathy is more than just understanding others; it’s about understanding their thinking (cognition), their feelings (emotions), and how you can support (showing compassion). The goal of empathy is to support another person in their time of need.
Here are three ways leaders can elevate their empathy and build stronger, more resilient teams.
1. Practice Active Listening, Not Just Hearing
Many leaders might think they’re good listeners, but in reality, they’re often just hearing. Active listening involves fully concentrating, understanding, and responding thoughtfully. It’s about creating space for your team to speak and truly feeling what they’re saying.
How to Do It:
- Ask open-ended questions to encourage deeper conversations.
- Reflect back on what you’ve heard to confirm your understanding.
- Eliminate distractions—set aside phones, emails, or any interruptions during conversations.
Active listening shows that you value your team’s thoughts and feelings, which builds stronger, trust-based relationships.
2. Show Authenticity and Vulnerability
As a leader, being authentic doesn’t mean oversharing, but it does mean showing your human side. When leaders allow themselves to be vulnerable, it opens the door for others to feel comfortable sharing their challenges.
How to Do It:
- Share personal stories that relate to team struggles. It shows you’ve been in their shoes
- Admit when you don’t have all the answers. This makes you relatable and approachable
- Encourage open dialogue where team members can share concerns without fear of retribution
When leaders are authentic, team members feel seen, heard, and valued.
3. Prioritize Emotional Check-Ins
Sometimes, in the hustle and bustle of work, emotions get lost in the mix. Empathetic leaders make it a point to check in on their team’s emotional well-being regularly, not just when issues arise.
How to Do It:
- Start meetings with a quick check-in. A simple “How’s everyone doing?” can go a long way.
- Observe non-verbal cues. Body language and tone can reveal what words don’t.
- Be proactive in following up after tough assignments or stressful periods.
Emotional check-ins aren’t just about solving problems but showing genuine concern for your team’s mental and emotional health.
What have you done to become more empathetic?
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