Empathy Isn’t a Soft Skill. It’s a Strategic Advantage. DDI’s global data on 15,000 leaders found empathy to be the strongest link to performance. Every metric—decision-making, engagement, coaching—rose with empathy. But most CEOs still resist it. Why? Because they confuse control with competence. Empathy requires listening. Listening threatens hierarchy. And hierarchy feels safer than connection. The real paradox isn’t data—it’s ego. Empathy doesn’t weaken authority. It legitimizes it. Curious what the data actually says? DM me and I’ll share both reports.
Empathy as a Strategic Advantage: Boosting Performance and Legitimizing Leadership
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Empathy truly is a game changer in leadership.