Neuroscientists recognise Cognitive and Emotional empathy as relevant to executive effectiveness. Cognitive empathy is where you understand the other person's perspective while emotional empathy allows you to sense unspoken feelings.
Psychology Today defines Empathy as "the experience of understanding another person's thought, feelings and conditions from his or her point of view, rather than from one's own." Simply put, 'Empathy is your pain in my heart.' Among the various forms of empathy, neuroscientists recognise two as relevant to executive effectiveness, viz. Cognitive and Emotional empathy. With Cognitive empathy, you can understand the other person's perspective, reflect on their situation, and consider the forces that may be acting upon them. Emotional empathy allows you to sense unspoken feelings. And both these forms are useful for leaders.
We are well aware that Empathy matters in a personal relationship, but how does it matter in business? You need empathy to work effectively with other people. You pick up cues on what is being felt and thought. Why is Empathy important in business? It is important since it can make a material difference in how leaders lead, thus impacting how people respond. Executives who lack empathy suffer difficult social situations at work.
Empathy as a leadership skill
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