94% of employees agree that empathy improves leader successfulness.
More people would rather have a hangover than talk to their boss about anything difficult or challenging, according to Development Dimensions International.
Men were twice as likely as women to say their leader’s actions had damaged their self-esteem…
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In fact, 60% of respondents reported that their boss at least sometimes damages their self-esteem. Even more surprising to me, men were twice as likely as women (32 percent to 17 percent) to say their leader’s actions had damaged their self-esteem. What we don’t know from these numbers is if this gap exists because men are taking things more personally or if leaders are treating men differently (and perhaps more harshly?).
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So many leaders aren’t delivering at the bottom line because they have failed at motivating, engaging, and mentoring their team members. It’s the day-to-day interactions that prove managers are actually human beings. Empathy is actually a proven skill set, with a 94% majority of respondents agreeing that empathy improved perceived leadership effectiveness.
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But there is a line between being empathic as a leader, and being a friend. According to the study, employees clearly did NOT want their leader to be a friend. The qualities employees looked for most revolved almost entirely around recognition and respect.
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Do you trust your boss? Why or why not? What do you wish your boss did to show recognition and respect?
Original Study at DDI
Photo by Flickr/WhatleyDude
My boss is still trying to figure out who he identifies with: Is he one of us? Or is he trying to move up the corporate ladder? In his own words he’s a people pleaser and really dislikes conflict. I feel like when I talk to him he’ll just take the path of least resistance. And the things that he makes an issue are not the issue with the team. They are just symptomatic of what’s going on underneath (i.e. people are not wearing their uniform correctly and this is a problem [underlying issue: people were just told their job… Read more »
Yes, Authenticity! I agree. I tend to think authenticity comes from self-awareness… and I think that may not be an easy skill set to acquire in the draconian cubicle office setting. If it was okay to take a few months off and walk a pilgrimage, then we might have more authenticity at work… right?