Speaker 1: Helping leaders motivate their people to a higher level of
Speaker 1: performance through strong human relations, team building, and goal achieving.
Speaker 1: This is the seven Minute Leadership Podcast with your host
Speaker 1: Paul Fellovaldo. Hello everyone, and welcome to the Seven Minute
Speaker 1: Leadership Podcast, Episode two thirty and today we're diving into
Speaker 1: a fascinating topic, the leadership paradox balancing empathy and authority.
Speaker 1: As a leader, you're expected to be compassionate and approachable,
Speaker 1: but also decisive and firm. It's a delicate balancing act,
Speaker 1: and getting it wrong can erode trust or weaken your authority.
Speaker 1: In the next few minutes, I'll show you how to
Speaker 1: strike the perfect balance. So let's start with leading with empathy.
Speaker 1: Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings
Speaker 1: of others. It's a cornerstone of trust and connection. When
Speaker 1: leaders show genuine care for their team's well being, they
Speaker 1: create an environment where people feel valued and respected. For example,
Speaker 1: if an employee is struggling with a personal issue, take
Speaker 1: the time to check in with them. As simple how
Speaker 1: can I support you can go a long way. Empathy
Speaker 1: isn't about solving their problems, It's about showing you care.
Speaker 1: But remember empathy doesn't mean lowering expectations. It means understanding
Speaker 1: challenges while helping your team find ways to meet their goals.
Speaker 1: And Next, let's talk about setting and enforcing boundaries. While
Speaker 1: empathy builds trust, clear boundaries maintain authority. Your team needs
Speaker 1: to know what's expected of them and what the consequences
Speaker 1: are for not meeting those expectations. For example, if a
Speaker 1: deadline is missed, don't sweep it under the rug because
Speaker 1: you feel bad about their circumstances. Instead, say something like,
Speaker 1: I understand this has been a challenging time for you.
Speaker 1: Let's talk about how we can get back on track.
Speaker 1: This approach reinforces accountability while showing compassion. Boundaries also apply
Speaker 1: to your time and energy. Empathy shouldn't lead to burnout,
Speaker 1: so make sure you're prioritizing your own well being so
Speaker 1: you can lead effectively and be consistent to build trust.
Speaker 1: Consistency is key to balancing empathy and authority. When your
Speaker 1: team knows you're fair and impartial, they'll respect your decisions
Speaker 1: even when they don't agree with them. For instance, if
Speaker 1: one team member misses a meeting and faces consequences, the
Speaker 1: same should apply to others in similar situations. Inconsistencies, breed
Speaker 1: resentment and undermine your authority. Remember, empathy doesn't mean favoritism.
Speaker 1: Treat everyone fairly and you'll build a culture of trust
Speaker 1: and mutual respect. And finally, great leaders embody the paradox
Speaker 1: of being both compassionate and firm. They listen actively and
Speaker 1: make their team feel heard, but they also make tough
Speaker 1: decisions and stand by them. And here's a simple framework
Speaker 1: to follow. Listen, reflect, decide, act. Start by hearing your
Speaker 1: team out. Reflect on their input, but don't let it
Speaker 1: cloud your judgment. Make a decision based on the bigger picture,
Speaker 1: and act with confidence. When your team sees that you
Speaker 1: can lead with both heart and strength, they'll not only
Speaker 1: follow you, they'll trust and respect you. So leadership is
Speaker 1: about balance. Empathy and authority aren't opposites, their complimentary. When
Speaker 1: you master this paradox, you'll learn the trust, loyalty, and
Speaker 1: respect of your team. And if you haven't done so,
Speaker 1: please give the show a five star review and share it. Also,
Speaker 1: follow me on your favorite social media platforms including substackord,
Speaker 1: and please visit my website Paulfalovaledo dot com for free
Speaker 1: downloadable leadership resources. This has been this seven Minute Leadership Podcast,
Speaker 1: and I thank you for listening. For more Paul Fallo
Speaker 1: Alito podcasts, visit Paul Fellovalito dot com