These days we hear lots of people saying that company managers are all about profits (not that there’s anything wrong with that) and less about the people.

And I’m very sad to hear this, especially knowing that empathetic leaders still exist and they should be a rule, not an exception.

Our own Mihai and Adrian are the best examples I can give you without even being biased (too much). Ever since I joined InfiniSwiss 3 years ago I felt this company was something else and time has only proven that I was right.

But let’s dive into the subject and tell you how we at InfiniSwiss deal with being empathetic and supportive of our colleagues.

What is empathetic leadership?

Being an empathetic leader means understanding and connecting to the team members’ needs and perspectives. They don’t only show the way, but also make time to listen, support and answer the ideas team members have.

They also create a safe space where others feel encouraged to express their opinions, respect and stimulate productivity and innovation.

The benefits of empathetic leaders

Creating that safe space for every team member brings benefits for the business and on a personal level as well.

Some of the most important are the following:

• Colleagues feel they are listened to and feel more motivated. Empathy creates an environment where collaboration and trust are blooming and this brings long-term success on both a personal and a business side.
• Everyone is less stressed and anxious because leaders are good at identifying issues before they become critical and try to find solutions on how to surpass them.
• It encourages diversity and innovation through expressing honest ideas and hiring team members from all around the country.

How we practice empathetic leadership

Even though it might seem utopian, from the feedback we receive from our colleagues twice a year, we realised that we’re doing the leadership right.

Both Adi and Mihai are good listeners who care about our feedback and take it seriously. More than this, they are very supportive whenever a team member has an issue and are actively listening to the problem and trying to find solutions that make it a one-time problem, not one that would return.

Transparency has always been one of our core values and it’s shown in every conversation that we have. More than this, Mihai and Adi always keep us updated on how the company is doing, plans for the future and how we can be involved in different actions.

Being an empathetic leader also means being vulnerable and sharing what you are going through professionally. This creates a safe space for the others to share experiences as well and open communication is encouraged.

Empathetic leadership is not only a way to lead, but also a philosophy that puts people first.

If you want to see what it’s like to work in a safe community, drop us a line. We can’t wait to hear from you!

Written by:

Monica Ratiu

[email protected]

HR guru, people connector, admin wizard - keeping the gears turning

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