I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel

Maya Angelou 

The notion of empathy originated in the mid-19th century with aestheticians, who utilized the German term “Einfühlung” to capture the emotional understanding of a piece of art by internally resonating with its emotions. Later, in the late 19th century, psychologist Theodore Lipps expanded this idea to encompass “feeling one’s way into the experience of another,” suggesting that inner imitation of others’ actions played a crucial role in fostering empathy. Philosopher Martin Buber further enriched the concept by framing empathetic relationships as “I and Thou,” contrasting it with the disrespectful objectification and dehumanization seen in “I and It” interactions. This insightful distinction underscores the importance of genuine respect and concern for others as opposed to the prevalent tendency to devalue individuals in today’s societies. 

According to Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, empathy is “”the ability to imagine and understand the thoughts, perspective, and emotions of another person.”  In order to practice empathy one must begin with self-empathy. This involves the careful observation of one’s own emotions and a deep awareness of one’s personal internal experiences. It is only through achieving this self-understanding that one can truly comprehend the feelings and perspectives of others. 

There are 3 types of empathy: 

• Cognitive Empathy: This is the ability to understand another person’s perspective or mental state. It’s the “thinking” part of empathy, like understanding why a character acts a certain way in a book. 
• Emotional Empathy: This involves sharing the feelings of another person, essentially mirroring their emotional experience. It fosters emotional connections and is crucial for deep personal relationships. 
• Compassionate Empathy: This goes beyond understanding and sharing emotions. It includes the desire to alleviate the suffering of others. Giving someone a hug to cheer them up is an example. 

From an evolutionary standpoint, our survival relies on empathy. It was Herbert Spencer, after reading Darwin’s work who coined the phrase “Survival of the Fittest.” On the contrary, a lesser-known aspect of Darwin’s research, often mischaracterized by the ruthless and competitive view of human nature,  actually revolves around the concept of empathy as a survival strategy.  Darwin’s findings revealed that communities thriving on mutual care and support were the ones that endured. These communities, characterized by their empathy, demonstrated the highest level of adaptability and resilience, truly embodying what it means to be “fit.”  

Drawing a parallel from our evolutionary past to modern-day organizational dynamics, the significance of empathy in leadership becomes evident. Just as empathy fostered cooperation and resilience among early human communities, it serves as a cornerstone of effective leadership in today’s complex and interconnected world. Leaders who prioritize empathy create environments where individuals feel valued, understood, and empowered, driving engagement, collaboration, and innovation. 

Simon Oliver Sinek, an English-born American author and inspirational speaker on business leadership, emphasizes the vital importance of caring for individuals, not merely their productivity in the realm of leadership.  He states, “The real job of a leader is not being in charge.  It’s about taking care of those in our charge.”  This perspective underscores the transformative power of empathy in cultivating effective and compassionate leaders. 

Empathy can be cultivated by encouraging curiosity. Leaders can create opportunities for empathy to flourish by promoting active listening, asking questions, and seeking to understand different perspectives. This allows individuals to step outside their own experiences and engage empathetically, fostering stronger connections and collaboration. 

Case Study- Ruth Bader Ginsburg: 

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg (RBG) exemplified empathetic leadership throughout her career. While her legal focus was on gender equality, she strategically argued cases that impacted not just women, but also men who faced discrimination based on outdated gender stereotypes. 

For instance, in Frontiero v. Richardson (1973), Ginsburg successfully challenged a law denying military benefits to the spouse of a female service member, but not a male service member. This case not only secured equal benefits for women but also highlighted the limitations men faced due to these stereotypes. 

By strategically choosing cases and arguments, Ginsburg not only dismantled discriminatory laws but also fostered empathy for those disadvantaged by them. This approach helped build a broader coalition for gender equality, demonstrating the interconnectedness of fairness and justice. 

Sources: 

• da.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maya_Angelou 
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frontiero_v._Richardson 
• Charles Darwin, The Descent of Man 

https://charles-darwin.classic-literature.co.uk/the-descent-of-man/ebook-page-83.asp

• Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries:  

https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/definition/english/empathy

• National Institutes of Health: The Science of Empathy:  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5513638/ 
• Simon Sinek – Understanding Empathy 

Metrimeter Questions: 

Understanding Empathy in Leadership 

On a scale of 1-10, how important do you believe empathy is in effective leadership? 

 Possible answers: 1 (not important) to 10 (extremely important) 

Which component of empathy do you find most challenging to practice in the workplace? 

 Cognitive Empathy (Understanding others’ perspectives) 

Emotional Empathy (Feeling what others feel) 

Compassionate Empathy (Taking action to help) 

Have you ever experienced a situation where a leader’s empathy directly impacted your motivation and productivity? 

Yes 

No 

Not sure 

Empathy in Action 

In what ways have you or your leaders demonstrated empathy during challenging times at work? (Open text response) 

Do you think empathetic leaders are more successful in creating inclusive work environments? Why or why not? (Multiple choice or open text for explanations) 

Building Empathetic Leadership Skills 

Which of the following practices do you believe would most effectively cultivate empathy in leadership within your organization? 

Regular feedback sessions between employees and leadership 

Empathy training workshops 

Role reversal exercises (leaders performing tasks of their team members) 

Open forums for sharing personal experiences and challenges 

How often do you actively practice empathy in your interactions with colleagues and team members? 

Daily 

Weekly 

Occasionally 

Rarely 

Reflection and Future Directions 

Reflecting on your own leadership style (or the style of leaders you’ve worked with), what one step could you (or they) take to enhance empathy within the team? (Open text response) 

Do you believe that empathetic leadership can be learned, or is it an inherent trait? 

It can be learned and developed over time 

It is an inherent trait that cannot be significantly changed 

A combination of both 

Feedback and Personal Insights 

What is one new insight about empathy in leadership that you gained today, and how will you apply it in your professional or personal life? (Open text response)