Much has been written about the importance, and power, of Emotional Intelligence (EI/EQ) and its role in building teams, being a good leader and creating positive corporate culture. No doubt it can be a big difference maker but what if the leader doesn’t care?
What happens if he or she is solely motivated by money, power and control? What if they are willing to do anything, to anyone, to achieve their goals? They may even state that people are their firm’s greatest asset and are at the core of everything they do. It all sounds good until things don’t go their way and their true colors are revealed. This doesn’t describe all leaders, only a small percentage. What happens when you must deal with a leader who is all about the bottom line? You either acquiesce, get pushed around, kicked out, or even leave in frustration and disappointment, or…
There is a saying “there are none so blind as those that will not see”. To become empathetic some “leaders” must have a hard landing before they begin to see what’s going on around them. Unfortunately, for some that means business failure, a personal crisis or someone that shatters their reality and gives it to them straight. Sadly, some never get it at all.
There is something you can do despite what is happening around you. As Gandhi stated, “Be the change you want to see.” If more empathy and compassion is necessary, be the one modeling it. If someone needs an encouraging word, sympathetic ear, and judgement-free counsel, be the one that offers it.
To read more about leadership and the power of empathy, follow the links for additional perspective:
- How Steve Jobs Became a Better Boss When He Curbed His Narcissism
- Humility: The Missing Ingredient to Your Success
“At the end of the day, it’s not about what you have or even what you’ve accomplished… it’s about who you’ve lifted up, who you’ve made better. It’s about what you’ve given back.” ~ Denzel Washington
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