Empathy Is Not A Weakness: And Other Stories from The Edge
What makes a great leader? Often, it's our worst leaders and toxic leadership behaviors that teach us the most about creating better leadership experiences for others. In this enlightening book, Loren Sanders reveals the seven key practices essential for gaining empathy and motivating others. Companies in which people feel seen, heard, and supported tend to be far more successful than those whose employees are disengaged and constantly under stress.
With honesty and humility, Sanders describes how she came to recognize her own shortcomings as a leader and face hard truths head-on. She takes us on her journey of self-awareness, sharing vital lessons about listening, gaining perspective, and building trust. With real stories of real people who overcame tough situations at work, Sanders shows how leaders can provide positive and meaningful feedback. Each chapter ends with key takeaways that you can try today to enhance your leadership skills and transform your company's culture, whether you're a seasoned leader or new to a management role.
Accomplishing business goals and caring for people are not mutually exclusive. Empathy is one of the best leadership skills and emotional intelligence traits, and great leaders are willing to share their emotions and feelings with others, and allow them to share theirs. When you're a champion for your team, raise them up, believe them, and believe in them, you empower them to perform their best.
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This book will help you gain perspective when interacting with others. Whether in the workplace or your personal life, you will understand how to make empathy your superpower. Empathy allows you to form deeper relationships and be a better team member and partner. You will learn how not to experience the difficult situations Loren went through earlier in her career. This book is worth the read and provides practical tips on how to live and lead with empathy. -Jodi Coplan, MS, SPHR, SCP, Head of Human Resources, Capgemini Invent North America
The existential crisis we live in today necessitates a more empathetic leadership style. The challenge I've seen is how to blend empathy with setting clear expectations and holding people accountable. Loren Sanders breaks down into clear, practical, and actionable steps how to develop greater empathy for others. What's most refreshing is she does it by sharing stories of how she first learned these lessons-by failing, staying curious, being able to self-reflect, and committing to lifelong learning. This is the path for deep personal growth for all of us and now we have a roadmap that can help us build a very critical skill we need more and more these days.
-Laila Tarraf,
Author, Strong Like Water,
former Chief People Officer, Allbirds
It's estimated that less than half of leaders regularly access empathy. In the general population, I would expect that number to be even lower. Empathy is Not a Weakness will help us address this systemic problem. Loren starts the book off with a vulnerable story about one of her direct reports resigning. She is soon blindsided and realizes that her own lack of empathy is destroying relationships. Loren then presents other scenarios, stories, and practices that will help us further understand and access empathy on a regular basis, so we don't make the same mistakes that she did.
-LaTonya Wilkins,
Author, Leading Below the Surface,
Founder and CEO, Change Coaches
