Building Resilience Through Empathy

I see organizations demand innovation without proper training on how to navigate failures- if our managers and teams are NOT trained on how to navigate failure - we stifle creativity and innovation! Creating a culture that embraces failure requires a deliberate and thoughtful approach. Here are strategies organizations can adopt through an empathy lens: 1. Promote #PsychologicalSafety: Encourage open communication and ensure employees feel safe sharing their ideas and experiences without fear of judgment. Recognize and reward individuals who demonstrate vulnerability by sharing failures and lessons learned. 2. Leadership #RoleModeling: Leaders should openly acknowledge their own failures and share the lessons they've gained from those experiences. Demonstrate resilience and a positive attitude towards setbacks, reinforcing that failure is a natural part of growth. 3. #Learning Opportunities: Frame failures as valuable learning opportunities rather than mistakes. Implement regular debrief sessions after projects to discuss both successes and failures, focusing on extracting insights for improvement. 4. Encourage #Experimentation: Foster a culture of experimentation where employees are encouraged to try new ideas and approaches. Provide resources and support for pilot projects, acknowledging that not all experiments will yield immediate success. 5. #Feedback and #Recognition: Provide constructive feedback that focuses on improvement rather than blame. Recognize efforts and initiatives, regardless of the outcome, to reinforce the importance of taking risks. 6. Celebrate #Progress and Effort: Celebrate progress and effort, even if the ultimate goal is not achieved. Acknowledge the hard work and dedication invested in pursuing innovative ideas. 7. Integrate Failure into #PerformanceMetrics: Include the ability to learn from failures as a positive attribute in performance evaluations. Avoid punishing employees solely based on project outcomes and instead assess their ability to adapt and grow. 8. Create a #Supportive Environment: Foster a collaborative and supportive work environment where team members help each other learn and grow. Avoid blame and focus on collective responsibility for outcomes. 9. Provide Resources for #SkillDevelopment: Offer training and development programs that equip employees with the skills needed to navigate challenges and learn from failures. 10. Understand Iterative #Improvement: Emphasize the importance of iteration and continuous improvement. Failure should be seen as a step towards refinement and progress. By implementing these strategies, organizations can shift their culture towards one that not only tolerates failure but actively encourages it as a pathway to innovation and improvement. --- EmpathifyU helps organizations catapult their Manager Effectiveness, Trust, Engagement & Retention Scores. Reach out https://lnkd.in/gZ_q5U_p #empathifyu

In the journey of both an executive and a caregiver, I’ve discovered the profound impact empathy has on leadership. As someone who supports my husband through his battle with brain cancer, the experiences of empathy I’ve gained have been invaluable, both at home and in the workplace. Here are top three reasons why empathy in leadership is critical: 1. Building Trust and Safety: Empathy allows us to create environments where our colleagues feel seen, heard, and valued. This is not just about professional achievements but about acknowledging the personal challenges and hurdles each one faces. As I navigate my husband’s health journey, I understand more deeply than ever that everyone has their battles, seen or unseen. An empathetic leader fosters trust and a sense of safety, encouraging team members to bring their whole selves to work. 2. Enhancing Communication: Empathy improves our ability to communicate effectively. It teaches us to listen with the intent to understand, not just to respond. In my dual role, listening to my husband and understanding his needs and limitations without judgment has been crucial. This skill translates directly into the workplace, where empathetic listening can uncover underlying challenges and opportunities, leading to more meaningful and productive conversations. 3. Driving Innovation and Engagement: Empathy encourages a culture where diverse perspectives are celebrated and where everyone feels empowered to share their ideas. This inclusivity leads to innovation, as diverse thoughts and experiences come together to solve problems in new ways. In my personal life, adapting to my husband’s changing needs has required creativity, flexibility, agility and adaptability - qualities that are equally valuable in a business context, driving engagement and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. As leaders, embracing empathy isn’t just about being kind; it’s a strategic imperative that can lead to more resilient, innovative, and cohesive teams. It’s about understanding that behind every role, there is a human facing their own set of challenges. Navigating the path of caregiving has deepened my conviction that empathy lies at the heart of transformative leadership. The essence of my message is this: embody empathy in your leadership, starting now, from wherever you stand. Titles, ranks, or formal authorization are unnecessary to embrace and enact empathetic leadership. It is through empathy, coupled with a profound appreciation for our shared human experience, that we unlock the true potential for success. Pledge to lead with empathy, understanding, and compassion, acknowledging that it is our collective humanity that propels us forward. #Leadership #Empathy #Innovation #Trust #Communication

The Night I Almost Snapped: 3 Lessons on Resilience from the ER It was super busy in the ER that night. Everyone needed help, and I was running non-stop. Then this older guy came in, mad and yelling a lot. The whole room felt tense. 🚑 The Challenge Hits He kept shouting and wouldn’t sit still. The nurses were trying to calm him down, but nothing was working. He continued to yell at them with foul language. My heart started to pound, and my hands were shaking. This was my team, and I was their leader. I felt like I was gonna lose it. 🧘 A Crucial Pause I had to step away for a sec. I went to the supply room. I just stood there. Eyes closed. Breathing slowly. Just me and the quiet. It helped me chill out. My fear of a terrible outcome was just that- a fear. 🗣️ Returning with Empathy When I went back, I kept my cool and talked softly. "I see you're really upset," I said, "Let's figure this out together, okay?" He looked at me, still kind of mad, but he nodded. 🙅 Facing the Test "I'm going to get you all fired!." He shouted. I felt my anger rumbling back at full speed. I was about to shout back: "We deserve some respect!" Instead, I paused. I smiled softly and took a deep break. I knew he was scared and very stressed. I felt it. "We're here to help you," I continued. "You're our priority." I felt him softening like dough. The worst part was over. There was just one thing left for me to say: "But first, you're going to apologize to my nurses." 🔑 My Key Takeaways 1. 𝗣𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗺𝗲𝗱 • Take a break when it’s too much. • Find the emotion driving your thoughts. • Address it honestly. • Get back in control. 2. 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 • Listen and be kind. • Acknowledge how people feel. • Validate their concerns. • You'll be on the same page. 3. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 • Keep going, even when it's hard. • Stay steady under pressure. • Expect challenges Be ready to face them. • Prove you're tougher than your toughest days. That night taught me a lot about dealing with tough stuff at work. Learning how to handle strong emotions is just as important, as the skilled work you do. 💬 Ever had a super tough day at work?       What helped you get through it? P.S. ➕ Follow Dr. Miro Bada for more practical performance advice. ♻️ Share this to inspire your network.

In our industry, there is such a push for technical training that I think we have lost sight of what supporting our teams really consists of. I think that we need to start training our people differently. In school we are taught chemistry, biology, and math but not how to deal with anxiety or stress. Yes, how to work flow a Submittal or RFI is absolutely important, but if we don’t train our teams about emotional regulation or how to manage the loads of stress that are intertwined in the professional world, we are setting them up for failure. I know, I know…we aren’t therapists and can’t teach that “kind of stuff to our people”. I challenge that corporate norm as there is something you can do about it that doesn’t involve anyone but you! You can change this story with the folks that you collaborate with and it starts with the environment and culture we build on our teams. Empathy is an emotional and thinking muscle that becomes stronger with use. 1️⃣Listen actively 👂🏽 With an open mind, open eyes and open ears. Do not interrupt. Withold judgement. 2️⃣Be fully present ✋🏽 Pay attention to body language, tone of voice and hidden emotions. Be aware of your own body language as well. 3️⃣Take interest 👀 Have genuine curiosity about other people. Ask questions with an intention to help or build relationship. 4️⃣Encourage and support the team 👏🏽 As a leader take time to listen, protect and empower the quiet ones. Recognize individual contribution. In life there are only a few guarantees, but I can guarantee you that if you start to practice the above you will see your people flourish. Walls will start to come down and that is where the magic happens. We move from disconnected siloes to integrated collaborators. #emotionalregulation #softskills #traininganddevelopment #anxietymanagement #stressmanagement

Empathy in Leadership. The role of empathy in building resilient teams. In my journey from the US Army to entrepreneurship, one lesson stands out: the power of empathy in leadership. Whether managing projects or guiding my family as a single father, I've seen firsthand how empathy fosters resilience. Empathy isn’t about having all the answers; it's about understanding, listening, and being present. It’s the foundation for building a supportive environment where every team member feels valued and heard. Here are three quick tips to cultivate empathy and resilience in your teams: ☝🏼1. Regular Check-Ins: Make them personal. Ask how your team is doing, beyond just work. ✌🏼2. Promote Openness: Share your challenges. It creates a safe space for others to do the same. 🤟3. Encourage Support: Highlight resources and encourage team members to look out for one another. Leadership is not just guiding teams to meet business objectives; it's about ensuring the journey is humane, supportive, and inclusive. Lead with empathy and watch our teams thrive! - Your thoughts? - How do you foster empathy and resilience in your team? #leadershipdevelopment #success #team

A recent client challenged my perspective on accountability, recalling a time when my direct reports fell short.   Their argument: accountability must involve punishment. I explained that I did hold them accountable, but I did it with empathy. Empathy in this context isn't about being soft. It's about recognizing the leadership struggles we all face and saying, 'I understand this is tough, and I'm here to support you.' Empathy doesn't negate accountability; it complements it. The crucial next step is to guide your team on the path to prepare for and address the challenge—a collaborative journey toward resolution. Moreover, leading with empathy goes beyond just being compassionate. It's about creating an environment where accountability is a shared effort. When leaders understand the challenges their teams encounter, they can bridge gaps, build trust, and inspire resilience. In essence, empathy doesn't mean ignoring responsibilities; it means acknowledging that behind every role, there's a human dealing with complexities. Can you recall a time in your own leadership journey when someone demonstrated this concept?   I’d love to hear all about it! Leading Authorities, Inc. #businessleaders #strategicplanning #teamdevelopment #selfleadership #corevalues

I love to make up words that fill in the gaps in the English language. Even though our dictionary has more than 200,000 words, it’s not enough. I love my wife. I love hot dogs. We need more words for love. So I’m working on my own dictionary. Sometimes I modify an existing word or couple two existing words to create a third meaning. For example: Ø Prosilience: Prospective resilience, developing mental toughness before being called upon to need it. Ø Focish: Focusing on what’s important and finishing what you start. Ø Nedlog Rule: The Golden Rule in reverse – anything you would be willing to do for someone else if they asked you, be willing to ask for that same help if you need it. Ø ExGen: Being extravagantly generous in small ways. Today I’m working on a new word: Teampathy. We’ve all heard and used the word teamwork – to work together as a team. Teampathy means fostering empathy within the team. It is an essential complement to team work. According to Gallup, one of the best predictors of employee engagement is having good friends at work. One of the vital catalysts of friendship is mutual empathy. Working together (teamwork) will help the organization hit targets and achieve goals, but it will not in itself foster meaningful friendships. That requires Teampathy. Especially today when burnout, moral distress, and the emotional drain of social and political polarization can be so wearing, leaders need to consciously promote a spirit of mutual empathy. Here are three practical suggestions for fostering Teampathy. Suggestion #1: Increase cultural intolerance for toxic emotional negativity. Bullying, rumor-mongering, and belittling criticism are dispiriting and demoralizing and contribute to a culture of distrust and “not my job” apathy. Download the free DIY Implementation Guide at www.PicklePledge.com to share The Pickle Pledge and the Pickle Challenge for Charity with your team. This is the most powerful and effective tool I have for raising awareness of and intolerance for chronic complaining, pessimism, and learned helplessness. Suggestion #2: Encourage peer-to-peer recognition, gratitude, and encouragement. The DAISY Foundation, Wambi, and NDORSE are platforms that make it easy for people to appreciate their colleagues. Suggestion #3: Make better use of daily team huddles (or start doing them if you are not already). Encourage people to share personal stories, publicly recognize a coworker, or ask for support. Do something fun. Get people to laugh (you don’t need to be a comedian to tap into the power of laughter – google Laughter Yoga). Working on Teampathy might do more for teamwork in your organization than working on teamwork will do.

Kindness is a leadership skill. We don’t talk enough about how much kindness shapes high-performing teams. Empathy isn’t just a “soft skill.” It’s a strategy for building resilient teams. And often, the real reason people stay or go. Here’s what empathy at work actually looks like: ☝🏼 You check in when someone’s off — not because it’s your job, but because you care. ↳ 💡Try this: “Hey, just wanted to check in — you’ve seemed a little quiet. Do you want to chat?” ✌🏼 You give feedback with heart — direct, but never with judgement. ↳ 💡Try this: Lead with, “Can I share an observation with you?” — it opens the door instead of putting someone on defense. 🤟🏼 You hold space in meetings for quieter voices to speak. ↳ 💡Try this: “Let’s pause for a sec — [name], I’d love to hear your take if you’re comfortable sharing.” 🖖🏼 You recognize that life happens — and lead with understanding, not judgment. ↳ 💡Try this: If someone misses a deadline, ask: “Is there something I can do to support you right now?” 🖐🏼 You say “thank you,” “I appreciate you,” and “how can I help?” like it’s normal (because it should be). ↳ 💡Try this: End one meeting this week by highlighting a teammate’s contribution Let’s normalize human-first workplaces. Where people feel safe, seen, and supported — not just evaluated. Because the best leaders aren’t the ones with the loudest voices. They’re the ones people feel better after being around. 📌 P.S. I’m launching a PM resume course 🎉 I’ve been building this course for MONTHS to people go from being stuck to interview-ready with ease and confidence. I’m dropping the exact system that helped 100+ professionals land PM interviews + offers at places like Meta, Microsoft, TikTok, & Airbnb. Join the waitlist for a limited-time special offer 😉 https://lnkd.in/eKijbsQU

Empathetic leadership isn't about softness; it's about strength and strategy. Here's how to harness its power 👇🏻: ✅ Redefine Toughness: • True strength lies in vulnerability and understanding. • Embrace empathy as a strategic tool to build resilient teams and navigate complex challenges. ✅ Challenge Assumptions: • Question the notion that empathy equates to weakness. • Empathetic leaders are formidable because they understand their team members deeply and can rally them toward shared goals. ✅ Forge Authentic Connections: • Break through barriers by forging authentic connections rooted in empathy. • Show your team that you understand their needs and aspirations on a profound level. ✅ Drive Innovation Through Understanding: • Empathy fuels innovation by uncovering hidden insights and fostering collaboration. • Dive deep into the emotions and experiences of your team to unlock creativity and problem-solving. ✅ Lead by Example: • Model empathetic leadership by prioritizing understanding, compassion, and inclusivity. • Your actions will inspire others to embrace empathy as a cornerstone of effective leadership. 📌 PS...Lead boldly with empathy, and redefine what it means to be a truly exceptional leader. *** 👉 Want a high-res PDF of this cheat sheet? Try The Extra Mile Newsletter: https://lnkd.in/gaewRGyj You'll get this cheat sheet + more for free.

What are two of the most important issues organizations are dealing with today? Burnout and employee engagement. Both can lead to your best people leaving your organization. So, what can you do about it? I'll show you where empathy skills help for both leaders and employees. As this excellent graphic from Verywell shows, skills like understanding needs and wants, creativity, psychological safety and collaboration are all helped by having a more empathetic workforce. It's so important for leaders to create this space and ensure that conversations are actually take place, first. From there- it's truly about action. ⚡️ Inclusivity and a diverse platform for ideas to be shared, heard and acted upon. ⚡️ Building in more 1:1 time and an open-door policy for employees' to connect with managers, peers and fellow employees. This is STILL possible in a hybrid and virtual environment. It takes effort! ⚡️ Creativity is the space for innovation where time is allotted and leaders understand that to innovate and ideate, people need to be able to do that and not constantly go from meeting to meeting An empathetic mindset- let's be honest- is also a strategic mindset. It's taking thought and consideration into providing a place where burnout and high employee attrition are no longer major issues. Because then people will know their voices are heard and that employers will create a reciprocal relationship with them to make change actually happen. What empathy skills have you grown most in the past year? #infographics #empathy #emotionalintelligence #personaldevelopment #leadership