Why leaders’ empathy is vital to morale and retention
When people feel unappreciated, they leave. Empathy results from listening intently to your employees and responding accordingly. Here’s what you, as a boss, should know.
According to recent studies conducted by Development Dimensions International, empathy is today’s top leadership attribute.
“Being able to listen and respond with empathy is overwhelmingly the one interaction skill that outshines all other skills,” says Richard S. Wellins, DDI senior vice president.
Dianne Crampton at Gonzaga University concurs: “Empathy is a universal team value that promotes high commitment and cooperation in the workplace. Becoming aware of the importance of their leaders developing empathy, companies are responding with sending their leaders to empathy training.”
According to a Wall Street Journal report , 20 percent of employers now offer empathy training, a substantial increase from 10 years prior.
Here are five reasons why empathy is a vital leadership trait:
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