Empathy isn’t just a nice-to-have - it’s a fundamental skill and mindset that drives better outcomes but most often we just overlook it. When someone’s upset/frustrated/angry, we tend to jump straight into solving the problem or defending our actions - yet what people actually want is to feel heard first, before any action is taken

The reality is that leading with empathy isn’t a nice to have, it’s a STRATEGIC win and a must have

Here’s how to make empathy more cultural:

• Make empathy VISIBLE: It’s easier to be empathetic one-on-one, it's more challenging in groups and it obviously affects group dynamics. When there’s a big announcement or uncertainty, acknowledge the emotions in the room without being cheesy or overtly touchy feely. Validate how people FEEL before jumping to solution/action. Showing empathy in public sets the tone for others to follow and becomes cultural over time

• Identify your "empathy crew": Identify peers who understand the value of empathy and work together to spread it. In meetings, if one person leads with empathy, others should follow. This group dynamic reinforces that empathy is part of how we do things around here

• Evidence empathy: When empathy makes a difference, tell the story, show the outcomes. Show how starting with empathy before diving into problem-solving led to better conversations and outcomes. Stories and case study examples help others see the very real, tangible benefits of a human first, empathic approach

Our world is highly focused on KPIs, OKRs and financial results. In this ultra quantified context, empathy isn’t a distraction - it’s a powerful tool for positive change and a strategic necessity

We need to make corporate empathy a cultural norm, not a rare exception

You could even argue that the social media ego's top down mindset is counter-empathic. They say they're empathic, because that's the herd meme/group membership norm, but the observed behaviour most definitely is not... 💥