Bernadette BoasExecutive Leadership Coach, Trainer and Speaker, Ball of Fire Coaching · Become the Leader Everyone Wants to Follow and No One Can Overlook.

Empathy & Flexibility Leadership That Works

9 Dec 2024 · 1 min

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1:28

In this segment of the video, Speaker A argues that effective leaders should prioritize outcomes over rigid processes, allowing team members to find their own paths to success. Leaders must create a safe environment where employees feel comfortable admitting knowledge gaps or struggles, and respond by offering concrete support such as webinars, workshops, mentorship, screen‑share sessions, or dedicated meeting time. Merely having an "open‑door" policy is insufficient if it isn’t backed by genuine, helpful action; dismissive reactions discourage future engagement. Speaker B reinforces the point by highlighting that a leader’s willingness to be vulnerable and meet people where they are is essential for true empathy and effective leadership.

Chapters

And that's not me saying the journey doesn't matter. Of course it matters. But what I'm saying is I don't need you to follow the map how I drew the map. I just need you to get to the right place. And however you get there that works for you is great. We love it. Yeah, I love that. I love that. And I don't mean like quote unquote safe space. What I mean is, is it okay to go to my manager and say, I'm really struggling with this, or I wanna learn more about this. Or I feel like I have a gap in my knowledge here. It needs to be okay for them to say those things so that they can— the manager can then say, yes, great, let's get you a webinar, a workshop. Let me take you under my wing and take you to this meeting so you can better understand it. Let me carve out time for you and we can do a screen share, whatever it is. The manager, the leader needs to be approachable and make themselves approachable. People often talk about open door policies and I'm here to support you. But if you don't do that in action, if somebody comes to you with a problem or concern or they wanna learn something and you just immediately go, well, you should know that already, or what's wrong with you? Or ask somebody else, then they're never gonna come to you. And when you think, well, why aren't people coming to me for mentoring? I have so much to offer, which you probably do.
Being vulnerable and making sure that you are supporting, that also leads to a true leader really being empathetic, really meeting people where they are.