James Laughlin argues that empathy is the number-one leadership trait. Without it, people get treated as numbers instead of being heard. He defines greatness as sustained high performance while keeping relationships and well-being intact.
I want you to ask yourself, how do you lead? How are you leading yourself? How are you leading your team? How are you leading your family? What does that look like? Do you lead it with empathy? Because I'll tell you what, empathy is the number one trait. And again, lots of research backs this up. The leaders who are doing the greatest and how do we judge great? Well, let's go back to the definition of high performance. Performing above the standard norms over the long term, whilst maintaining positive relationships and well being. That's how we determine greatness. It's performance related. Whilst maintaining good relationships and well being. And to do that, empathy has to be front and center. When empathy is lacking, well, people get cut off at the pass, people don't get listened to, people get treated as a number.
