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How to Be an Empathetic Leader

The Dos and Don’ts of Being an Empathetic Leader

Empathy isn’t reserved for your personal life.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from the pandemic, it’s that it weeded out the weak and ineffective leaders, and spotlighted those who exhibited good leadership skills. Good leaders were able to navigate their companies through uncertain waters while maintaining employee morale and productivity.

While these good leaders possess many qualities, the one that we will focus on here is empathy, as that was the one brought into sharp focus over the past few years – because even leaders with the best strategy and roadmap for the company will not be able to get everyone to share that vision and own it if they don’t have empathy. And everyone knows you get further and faster when everyone is equally motivated by the end goal.

That’s where an empathic leadership style comes in. It can make everyone feel like a team and increase productivity, morale, and loyalty. When a colleague has an issue, for instance, they may be frustrated and just want you to listen to them. By something as simple as letting them tell you all the details before responding, you can show them you value what they have to say. And Gallup surveys have consistently revealed that people value being valued more than increased salaries!

Teams with empathetic leaders are more innovative and push the boundaries more, as they feel safe in the knowledge that they won’t be blamed for failures in these experiments. Leaders benefit from empathy as it helps them to understand the root cause behind poor performance and address it constructively.

Ways You Can Improve Your Empathic Leadership Skills

Let’s Dig Deep About Empathy

Empathy is a hard skill to quantify, but leaders who have it are generally able to lead through challenging times more successfully. Good leaders know how to collect input and suggestions from everyone, make a decision that is best suited for the organisation, and fulfill the (reasonable) requirements of the majority. 

In order to recognise the qualities of being empathetic, it is important to understand what empathy means. According to Wikipedia, empathy is the capacity to understand or feel what another person is experiencing from within their frame of reference, that is, the capacity to place oneself in another’s position. 

Given the divide between management and the rest of the organisation, it’s a given that executives cannot understand the issues faced by the rest of the employees. By being empathetic, leaders bridge this divide and connect on a human level, strengthening loyalty and pride in being a part of the organisation.

Empathy is a key factor in Emotional Intelligence (EI or EQ), which measures an individual’s abilities to recognise and manage their emotions and the emotions of other people, both individually and in groups. An empathetic leader with a high EQ will know which of the three aspects of empathy – cognitive (head/thinking), affective (heart/feeling), and behavioural (action/doing) – to use in a given situation.

A Few Dos and Don’ts of Being an Emphatic Leader

Empathetic leaders can steer a company through turbulent times by providing employees with the understanding and recognition they need to navigate the crisis. It’s not all woo-woo and fluffy stuff, either. In fact, the quantifiable benefits can be seen in the level of innovation, employee engagement, and retention rates – not to mention employees who are brand ambassadors, building up your reputation as an employer of choice.

Empathetic leaders understand the consequences of their decisions on everyone in the company. They are able to look beyond whatever is happening at the moment, inspire, encourage, and strategise in ways that will motivate employees at all levels.

Empathetic leadership style

So if we were to condense all this into a quick checklist for empathetic leaders:

  1. Show genuine interest in others and their situations.
  2. Be willing to support team members with their personal issues.
  3. Schedule one-on-one meetings to stay connected.
  4. Keep an eye out for work burnout.
  5. Implement employee analytics.
  6. Validate how the other person is feeling.
  7. Develop your listening skills.
  8. Challenge your biases.
  9. Build a great culture to generate speed. 
  10. Approach problems from a different perspective.

A few behaviours to avoid:

  1. Don’t ask people to “earn your trust”.
  2. Don’t neglect those who are making the transition to a management role. 
  3. Don’t be afraid to ask questions in order to understand better.

The skills that make an empathetic leader can be learned through training and coaching, and are a worthwhile investment. You will reap the dividends through increased employee engagement, higher morale levels, and a corresponding increase in productivity and quality of work. These skills will also serve you well in your personal life, but that’s another article for another time!

Bina Mathews is an Executive Master Coach and Communications Consultant at Bina Mathews Consulting FZE. Visit www.coachbina.com or @coachbina for more information.

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Must Haves For A Memorable Summer

Summer Made Better!

Summer is here, and it’s time to enjoy the sunshine and warmth with your loved ones. Whether you are planning an overseas vacation or spending quality time with your family at home, here are a few essentials to make your summer season comfortable and memorable. So, sit back, relax, and let us introduce you to some of our favourite products to help you beat the heat and stay fresh all summer long.

Summer Essential Oils

Summer is just around the corner, and these essential oils are a great addition to your collection. Definitely the must-haves for the season!

RUT ESSENTIALS

Neroli Essential Oil

AED 125.00

RUT ESSENTIALS

Ylang Ylang Essential Oil

AED 70.00

RUT ESSENTIALS

Tea Tree Essential Oil

AED 55.00

Neroli Essential Oil: With its refreshing and floral aroma, Neroli is perfect for summertime. It can help uplift your mood and relieve stress after a long day, making it an excellent addition to your diffuser or bath routine. You can also add a few drops to your skincare products multiply the benefits.

Ylang Ylang Essential Oil: Ylang Ylang is another must-have essential oil for the summer season. Its sensual and calming properties can help you relax and unwind, making it ideal for aromatherapy and massage. You can also add it to your hair and skincare routine for added nourishment.

Tea Tree Essential Oil: Tea Tree is a versatile essential oil that can be used all year round, but it’s particularly useful during the summer season. It has powerful cleansing properties that can help keep your skin and scalp healthy and clear. You can also place a few drops in your diffuser to create a refreshing and energizing atmosphere that fills your space.

Connect & Reset

MIRA VISION

Male Vision Board Kit

AED 230.00

MIRA VISION

Female Vision Board Kit

AED 230.00

Summer is a time to connect with oneself and embrace the energies of nature. The MIRA Vision Board Kit is a perfect addition to your summer essentials. This vision board kit comes in customised versions for both women and men and helps you visualise and manifest your dream life. As you enjoy the warmth of the summer sun, take some time to focus on your goals and aspirations and use the MIRA Vision Board Kit to create a picture-perfect vision. This tool will give you clarity and help you stay focused on your intentions as you move forward toward achieving your dreams. So, add this Vision Board Kit to your summer must-have essentials and watch your dreams come to life.

Travel Buddies

SIRONA

Travel Hygiene Kit

AED 30.00

GYPSY ROSE HOLISTIC

Jet Lag Essential Oil Mist

AED 95.00

POPMASK

Jet Setter Eye Mask

AED 100.00

Summer is all about exploring and travelling to new places. The Travel Hygiene Kit is a must-have for anyone on the go. This travel kit has everything you need for your next adventure, from feminine pain relief patches and mosquito-repellent patches to intimate wipes and underarm sweat pads. Additionally, the Pee Buddy device is a game-changer (literally!) for women who want to stand and pee like men, making it easy to travel to places where washrooms are not easily accessible. The kit is compact, easy to carry, and ensures you stay fresh and hygienic throughout your travels.

The Jet Lag Essential Oil Mist is a blend of organic essential oils that relieves fatigue and brain fog caused by jet lag. It encourages relaxation, and restful sleep, and promotes emotions of grounding and tranquillity. All the oils are non-GMO, paraben-free, artificial fragrance-free, and GC/MS tested for purity and potency.

The Jet Setter Eye Mask is the ultimate summer must-have essential for all travellers and go-getters. The jasmine-scented mask provides a warming and relaxing sensation that soothes tired eyes, allowing you to unwind, meditate or just unplug from life. It’s perfect for those who need some well-deserved downtime.

Cooling Must Haves

SIRONA

Under Arm Sweat Pads

AED 40.00

C&S ACTIVE

Cross Back Crop Top

AED 180.00

MOTION TRADING

Moonstone Bracelet

AED 350.00

Sweating is a common problem during summer, and it can be embarrassing to be caught with yellow stains on your clothes. Sirona’s No Stain Underarm Sweat Pads are a summer essential that can save you from the embarrassment of sweat stains. These disposable pads are easy to use and can be placed on the inside of your garment to prevent sweat stains. Made with non-woven, dust-free paper, and self-adhesive, these sweat pads are allergy-certified, cruelty-free, non-toxic, and vegan. These pads maintain freshness all day long and have high perspiration absorption, making them a must-have for summer.

Summer fashion is all about comfort and style, and the Cross Back Crop Top is a fashionable addition to this summer’s must-have list. Its nylon and spandex blend makes it stretchable, quick-drying, and perfect for summer weather. Additionally, the crop top’s crossed-back straps give a beautiful silhouette, making it suitable for both studio and party wear. It’s light-to-medium support and removable cups give the wearer flexible options to dress up or down. The added features of Anti-UV and Anti-Static make it a perfect choice for outdoor activities during summer.

The Moonstone Bracelet is an excellent way to stay cool from the inside out during even the hottest summer days. Moonstone is known to provide a sense of calm and balance. Whether you’re exploring new places or just trying to get through a particularly hot day, this bracelet can help you stay calm, collected and cool whilst enabling grounding and focused vibes. It’s made from genuine moonstone in a rare large bead size that is 14mm in radius. Plus, its stylish design means it can easily be incorporated into any summer outfit.

Hydrate & Energise

NAMASTEA

Pretty Berry Tea

AED 20.00

X50

Green Tea Passionfruit

AED 145.00

NAMASTEA

Double Walled Glass

AED 38.00

If you enjoy tea, then the Pretty Berry Tea is a refreshing and energizing blend of black tea, strawberries, and flowers that serves you better as a summer beverage. Its moderate caffeine content and mildly sweet flavour make it an ideal beverage to boost your energy levels during the hot summer months. The safflower oil in the Pretty Berry blend is known to enhance skin and is packed with antioxidants, making it a fantastic product with benefits from the inside out. Additionally, when combined with rose petals, it helps improve your skin’s appearance. It’s exotic floral taste and health benefits make it a great addition to your post-lunch or early-evening routine.

Looking for a refreshing and energising beverage for the summer? Then the X50 Green Tea Passionfruit is your go-to drink to beat the summer heat. It tastes superbly of exotic passionfruit, contains antioxidants that can help boost your metabolism and promote healthy, glowing skin. With its sugar-free and gluten-free formula, X50 Green Tea is a guilt-free choice for anyone looking to stay healthy and hydrated during the summer months. Simply add a sachet of X50 Green Tea to your water bottle, shaker, or smoothie for a delicious and refreshing drink that will keep you feeling energized and cool all summer long.

As the temperatures start to rise this summer, keeping your drinks cool is essential. That’s where the Double Wall Glass Cup comes in. Made with borosilicate glass, it’s resistant to high temperatures and can withstand rapid temperature changes. Its double-walled design not only keeps your drinks cool for longer but also prevents condensation from forming on the outside. Whether you’re sipping on iced tea, lemonade, or any other cold beverage, this cup is a must-have for a refreshing summer drink.

Summer season is around the corner and with that you need a few essential products to help you stay fresh and cool. Each product on this list serves a unique purpose, making your summer season more enjoyable. Whether you’re travelling or staying indoors, these must-have products will help you beat the heat and make your summer season memorable.

The Gaggler team is passionate about finding and sharing great products with our readers. We take pride in researching and testing products to find the best of the best, and we only recommend things that we love and think you will, too.

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