This episode introduces empathy as a core leadership competency and the second essential practice for demonstrating care. Building on the foundation of vulnerability, these Notes on Leading Well explain what empathy is, how it works in the human brain, and why leaders who practice empathy are better equipped to build trust, communicate clearly, and lead people through change.
Listeners will gain a practical understanding of affective and cognitive empathy and how intentional perspective-taking improves employee well-being and organizational effectiveness.
Additional resources to explore:
PBS Learning Media: Mirror Neurons
Mirror Neurons and the Neuroscience of Empathy
The neurons that shaped civilization | VS Ramachandran
Empathy Definition | What Is Empathy
Does Your Manager Feel Your Pain?
Empathy Quiz | Greater Good
Key takeaways
Empathy is the effort to understand others
Vulnerability creates the conditions for empathy
Empathy is a leadership competency, not a trait
Affective empathy is feeling with others
Cognitive empathy is perspective-taking
Empathy is rooted in human biology
Empathy strengthens trust at work
Perspective-taking improves leadership decisions
Empathy supports well-being and performance
Empathy becomes care when put into action
Timestamps
[0:00:00] – Introduction to the Well Led Podcast & leadership premise
[0:00:35] – Recap: Vulnerability as a leadership competency
[0:01:27] – Vulnerability as relational and needing sustainability
[0:02:45] – Transition to second competency: Empathy
[0:03:39] – Working definition of empathy + two forms (affective & cognitive)
[0:04:22] – Affective empathy: “feelings about others’ feelings”
[0:05:20] – Cognitive empathy: perspective-taking & To Kill a Mockingbird example
[0:06:34] – Mirror neurons and the biology of empathy
[0:08:35] – What empathy does at work & impact on trust and change
[0:10:25] – Practicing empathy: observation exercise in a public space
Keywords
empathy in leadership
leading with empathy
empathy at work
leadership competencies
demonstrating care
vulnerability and empathy
perspective taking leadership
human centered leadership
employee well-being
psychological safety
