Mike DomitrzPresident, Author, and Speaker on Respect, The Center for Respect, Inc. · Author & Speaker on Respect for Schools, Corporations, & the Military since 1990 (has reached

EMPATHY THE TRUE MARK OF LEADERSHIP

20 Apr 2025 · 0 min

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In this motivational monologue, the speaker asserts that empathy is the single most essential trait for great leaders, citing the perspective of top generals and admirals. He illustrates the point with a vivid anecdote of an admiral who personally asks a low‑rank sailor about his day, emphasizing that caring for every individual makes them feel valued and defines true leadership. The speaker contrasts this with the negative sign of lacking empathy, exemplified by the dismissive attitude of "I don't count here," underscoring that leaders who ignore the worth of their people fail at true leadership.

You ask the greatest generals and admirals in the world, what one trait do you need to be to be an amazing leader? What do you think they yell out? Empathy. Empathy is the trait of the greatest leaders. An admiral who walks up to a sailor who might be the lowest-ranked person on that ship and says, sailor, how's your day going today? Let them walk away till they answer, because that sailor means too much to them. That's leadership. This is a sign of a lack of empathy when somebody says, I don't count here.