How a Leader Influences Employee Wellbeing

Article by: Agnieszka Betkowska an International Practitioner Business Coach accredited by EMCC (European Mentoring & Coaching Council). BSc Marketing and Management, MSc Chemistry 

Empathetic leadership is a key factor in employee wellbeing and organizational success. Today’s leader should not only be a strategist or manager but also someone who understands, supports, and actively cares for their team. Empathy is not just a “soft” skill – it is the foundation of effective leadership that promotes not only productivity but also wellbeing, engagement, and a positive organizational culture.

Empathy in Practice: What Does Empathetic Leadership Really Mean?

Empathetic leadership is the ability to form deep, authentic connections with team members, leading to a better understanding of their needs, challenges, and potential. A leader’s job is to use this empathy to guide decisions and support employee growth, both professionally and personally. This approach has a positive impact on wellbeing, mental health, and emotional stability within the team, creating a work environment that supports both productivity and personal satisfaction.

How Can a Leader Cultivate Empathy in Their Team?

1. Active Listening: As a leader, give your full attention to your team members. Listen not only to their words but also to their tone, body language, and emotions. Show empathy by paraphrasing their thoughts and feelings to show that you understand and care about their perspective.
2. Put Yourself in Their Shoes: Understand the situations of your team members, considering their backgrounds, experiences, and personal challenges when assessing their work or solving their problems. Empathetic leaders strive to understand the reasons behind actions and reactions from their team.
3. Show Genuine Interest: Take an interest in the well-being of your team members, not just professionally, but personally. Ask about their life outside of work, their goals, and aspirations. This approach creates a deeper connection and fosters trust.
4. Validate Emotions: Acknowledge your team members’ emotions by expressing empathy. Let them know it’s okay to feel the way they feel, and you are there to support them. Avoid minimizing or dismissing their feelings, even if you disagree with their perspective.
5. Lead with Compassion: Lead with understanding, patience, and support. Recognize that everyone makes mistakes and faces challenges, and respond with kindness and empathy rather than judgment or criticism. Show that you care about their wellbeing and are ready to help them overcome obstacles.
6. Engage in Self-Reflection: Regularly reflect on your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors as a leader. Consider how your actions impact your team members and whether you are demonstrating empathy in your interactions. Be open to feedback and continually strive to improve your empathetic leadership skills.
7. Create a Culture of Empathy: Promote a culture of empathy within your team or organization by leading by example and encouraging empathy among team members. Foster open communication, active listening, mutual respect, and provide opportunities for support and empathy among colleagues.

Empathetic Leadership and Employee Wellbeing

A leader’s role in the context of wellness goes beyond understanding and support. Empathetic leadership has a direct impact on the mental and physical health of employees. A team that feels understood and supported by their leader is more motivated, less stressed, and more engaged in their work. This type of leadership creates a healthy, supportive work environment that promotes a balance between work and personal life while prioritizing mental health.

Empathy in leadership contributes to building an organizational culture based on mutual respect, trust, and collaboration, positively affecting the workplace atmosphere and increasing loyalty and job satisfaction.

Conclusion: Empathy as the Key to Transformational Leadership

Becoming an empathetic leader is a process that requires commitment, but the results are invaluable. When a leader understands their employees and acts in ways that support their wellbeing, the entire organization benefits from improved effectiveness, morale, and engagement. Remember, empathy is not a one-time action but an ongoing process of growth that helps create a more balanced and healthy organizational culture. As a leader, you have the power to impact the health and happiness of your team – start practicing empathetic leadership today.