Empathy Leadership Newsletter July/August 2025
- ElizaBeth De Maagd
- Jul 21
- 7 min read
Empathy is often seen as a soft skill, but its power in the realm of leadership cannot be overstated. In both personal and professional landscapes, being demonstrably empathetic fosters trust, builds strong relationships, and cultivates a positive environment. Through this blog post, I will share insights drawn from my personal experiences and professional encounters that highlight the importance of EMPATHY in leadership.
Where leadership meets heart...glad you’re here,
ElizaBeth De Maagd, President, Founder, De Maagd Communications
(Pictured: In my role as a Talent Agent and Mother, I was creating a positive environment by having patience and being an active listener with my son while coaching him for a movie audition)
Growing Up with Empathy - How to Be a Better Leader and Influence Your Children at the Same Time
From an early age, I learned the value of empathy through simple yet profound moments. My parents often encouraged my siblings and me to understand and share the feelings of others. As a child, I was always taught to lead with empathy. I felt others’ emotions deeply and learned early on how to sit in the moment with someone...whether they were feeling joy, grief, frustration, or triumph. This wasn’t something I read in a book or learned in a boardroom... it was something I lived. I now understand that being an empathic leader started for me long before I knew what that phrase meant.
Such experiences not only shaped my character but exemplified what it means to be empathetic. To this day, I recall how deeply these moments impacted my understanding of human emotions.
Research shows that when children learn empathy early, they develop better interpersonal skills, which prepares them as effective leaders in the future.
Whether you’re raising future leaders or guiding teams, empathy starts at home and it’s never too early to teach it.
👨👩👧 Here are 4 great tips from PBS to help your child become an empathic leader:
1. Teach them to respond to others' emotions
2. Encourage them to consider other people’s perspectives
3. Guide them to apologize when they’re wrong
4. Model asking others how they feel
The Frog Pond Bridge: A True Lesson in Empathy Leadership by Validating Others' Feelings
During an adventurous summer in my childhood, my two close friends (Jodie and Mary Beth) and I discovered a frog pond in our neighborhood. We had a single goal: build a bridge to cross it. What began as an innocent adventure quickly turned into a lesson in teamwork, frustration, and emotional resilience.
The first attempt? A board from a friend’s garage was not long enough. One friend was so frustrated, she wouldn’t speak on the walk home. I could feel her disappointment, and instead of dismissing it, I said, “I understand how you feel ... let’s talk in your clubhouse.” (which, for us, was her dad’s shed we’d proudly cleaned out and claimed as our own).
The next day brought another failed attempt. A longer board, still not strong enough. Another friend felt hopeless. “It’s never going to work,” she said. Again, I responded with empathy: “I get it but let’s try again.”
On day three, I showed up ready with my red wagon in tow, filled with two thick boards, bricks, and winter boots. I greeted them: “Ready for an adventure?” They smiled. We made a plan together. We built our bridge together. And when it was time to cross, I said, “You two go first. I’ll wait to make sure you both are safe."
When we finally crossed the pond, the celebration wasn’t just about the bridge for it was about us! We laughed, hugged, and cheered because we solved the problem by supporting each other’s emotions every step of the way. We took a LEAP of faith. 🐸
Ten Loads of Laundry: Leading with Empathy, One Spin Cycle at a Time
Years ago, while consulting for a nonprofit foster care university program struggling with mentor recruitment, I attended a mentor-mentee match event. Amid the buzz, I noticed a young student sitting alone. She seemed disconnected and overlooked. Staff quietly mentioned she’d attended several events but had never been chosen by a mentor. My heart flew into action! I walked over and asked, “Would you be willing to interview me as your potential mentor?” She looked up, startled. “Me?” she whispered. “Yes, you,” I smiled. I handed her my notebook and pen and invited her to lead. By shifting the power dynamic by putting my title beside her, not above her, I saw her posture change. When she said, "I choose you,” something sacred clicked. Empathy had just made room for possibility!
Not long after, she shared something deeply personal: she didn’t have money, laundry supplies, or even transportation to clean her clothes. I told her that being vulnerable was completely okay with me and that this was where real-life skills begin. She hesitated, then invited me into her world. When she opened the door to her room, I was greeted by mountains of laundry in black trash bags covering the bed and floor. I swallowed the lump in my throat and said gently, “Oh, that’s not too bad,” while my mind whispered, “Ohhh WOW!” It was a ten-load situation. But I turned my shoes into hers and walked the moment with her. We loaded everything up, found a coin laundry, and as the washers spun, we mapped out her cycle of college goals for the year, laughed, and created a new spin of trust.
"That day wasn’t just about laundry for it was empathy in action, showing that leadership often begins by simply being willing to sit in someone else’s mess, not to fold it away—but to help it unfold." ~ ElizaBeth De Maagd
Leading with Empathy: How Curiosity and Support Keep Teams on Track
As Managing Director of my public relations firm, I lead teams under tight deadlines for complex projects. Recently, reflecting on empathy in leadership, one situation stood out.
A talented team member was missing deadlines for a critical government contract deliverable. When I checked in two days before the deadline, his work was far from ready. Instead of reacting with frustration, I asked how he was doing. He admitted feeling overwhelmed and lacking formal project management skills, something I had assumed he possessed given his exceptional talent and impressive portfolio.
Choosing empathy over pressure, I worked with him to create a clear, manageable project plan using his calendar. We met that deadline together. For the next one, I provided scaffolding with my strengths while he took the lead on his project deliverables. This approach helped us meet the deadline and supported his management growth.
This experience reminded me never to assume confidence means no struggle and reinforced that a culture of support and vulnerability enables teams to thrive. Empathy in leadership isn’t about softness—it’s about fostering an environment where everyone can succeed together.
3 Tips to Stay on the Same Page with Your Team (With Empathy):
Ask Open Questions Regularly: Check in with your team beyond task status. Ask how they’re feeling and if they need support for your curiosity builds trust.
Use Collaborative Tools: Implement project management apps like Trello, Asana, or Monday.com to break down tasks clearly and share timelines visibly with the whole team.
Build Buffer Time: Set internal deadlines a week before official ones. This allows room to address unexpected challenges without stress.
"According to a study published by the Harvard Business Review, empathetic leaders are perceived as more effective, driving better performance results."
Practicing Empathy in the Workplace
Empathy isn’t just about personal relationships; it is equally crucial in professional environments. Here are some actionable recommendations for practicing empathy as a leader:
Active Listening: Practice being present. When your team members express concerns, listen actively without interrupting. Acknowledge their feelings and paraphrase what they say to ensure understanding.
Regular Check-Ins: Schedule one-on-one meetings to discuss not only work progress but also personal well-being. These check-ins send a message that you value your team members as whole individuals and respect their mental health.
Foster Open Communication: Create an environment where team members feel safe to share ideas and grievances. Encourage feedback and demonstrate that you are approachable.
Empower Growth: Support the development of your team through training opportunities. Empathetic leadership entails understanding individual career aspirations and helping them achieve their goals.
Celebrate Successes and Failures: Recognize both achievements and the lessons learned from failures. This practice cultivates a culture of empathy as it shows that mistakes are an essential part of growth.
Lasting Impact of Empathy Leadership
The ongoing journey of developing empathy within leadership roles is multifaceted and powerful. The lessons learned from childhood, coupled with experiences in the workplace, underline the significance of fostering empathetic leadership.
Empathy leadership creates a ripple effect when leaders practice empathy, it influences their teams, creating a culture of understanding and support. According to a Gallup study, organizations with empathetic leadership see a 50% reduction in employee turnover, underscoring the importance of empathy in retaining talent.
Empathy is a core component of effective leadership that should not be overlooked. It has the power to transform workplaces, inspire teams, and ultimately drive success.
Through constant practice and commitment to understanding the feelings of others, we can create an environment where everyone feels valued. Empathy will pave the way for stronger relationships, increased productivity, and a more harmonious workplace.
The journey begins with each of us as leaders, mentors, and individuals. Let us carry that commitment forward, instilling the value of empathy in ourselves and the generations to come.
“Empathy in leadership isn’t about being soft. It’s about creating an egoless environment where people can thrive, grow, and succeed together!” ~ ElizaBeth De Maagd
Resource Library: Empathy Leadership Center
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If you’re looking to develop empathic, future-ready leaders within your team or organization, De Maagd Communications offers strategic leadership plans, mentorship programs, and team bonding experiences tailored to your goals and budget.
📩 Reach out through our Contact Page to start building your team’s empathy toolkit.
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