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

3 Apr 2025 · 0 min

Watch on YouTube

0:27

In this brief motivational talk, speaker Mike Domitrz asserts that empathy is the single most essential trait for outstanding leaders, from generals to admirals. He illustrates the point with a vivid anecdote: an admiral personally asks a low‑ranking sailor how his day is going, emphasizing that the sailor’s well‑being matters to the leader. The speaker contrasts this with the negative outcome when leaders lack empathy, noting that people then feel they 'don't count.' The overall message is that genuine concern for every individual is the hallmark of 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.