Empathetic leaders understand the needs of others and strive to be aware of their feelings, thoughts, and experiences. One of the key ways leaders can expand their capacity for this critical skill is through navigating the interplay between Focus on Self::Focus on Others. Leaders must be able to both understand themselves and their own preferences, and take steps towards understanding their teams’ needs and perspectives. This thoughtful balance creates trust, encourages collaboration, and strengthens connections. When leaders see all sides of the bigger picture, they foster openness and respect that resonates across their teams.
Building Trust Through Both/And Thinking
Leaders who are able to focus on both their own priorities and those of their team need to be active listeners, showing up with an open mind and asking curious questions. When a leader cultivates a culture where people feel valued and understood, critical trust grows and drives high morale and employee engagement. Both/And thinking makes space for open communication, meaningful collaboration, and a stronger sense of purpose for everyone involved.
Practical Steps to Expand Empathy with Both/And Thinking
Strengthening empathy starts with intentional actions.
- Understand where your own personal experiences and preferences may be driving your behaviors and decisions.
- Listen actively to others, setting aside distractions to fully engage with your team so that you can understand their experiences and preferences, too.
- Ask curious, open-ended questions to deepen understanding and gain insights from diverse perspectives.
- Create space to explore the Third Way where your needs and the needs of your team intersect – what does this look like?
Challenges in Balancing Both/And Leadership
Balancing Focus on Self::Focus on Others can be challenging. Time pressures and emotional fatigue make it easy to neglect self-care, and competing priorities can make it difficult to make space for curiosity and conversation.
Overcoming these challenges requires intentionality. Staying connected to yourself allows you to better support and inspire those you lead. Regular check-ins, active listening, and recognizing individual strengths keep relationships strong without sacrificing efficiency. Leaders who maintain self-awareness while engaging with others create supportive, productive environments. This balance ensures long-term success for both leaders and their teams, even in the face of demanding circumstances.
Final Thoughts
Leadership grounded in balance builds trust, fosters collaboration, and drives success. By effectively navigating Focus on Self::Focus on Others, leaders strengthen their ability to support their teams effectively. For those ready to enhance their skills, explore Andiron’s Leadership Development programs to navigate these challenges with Both/And thinking, helping to build more meaningful, impactful connections.
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