All Episodes

April 4, 2025 9 mins

Send us a text

Is leading with empathy really a weakness or too 'woke'—or is it the smartest strategy we have?

In this episode, I challenge the outdated belief that heart-centered leadership is soft or impractical. Drawing from leadership science, personal experience, and coaching insights, I unpack why empathy is a superpower and why leading with heart is a competitive advantage in a world that often feels cold and isolating. 

You'll learn:

  • Where the “soft leadership” myth comes from
  • Research-backed evidence on the power of empathy in leadership
  • How to bring more heart into your leadership without losing authority
  • Five practical ways to lead with presence, compassion, and clarity

This is an invitation to lead differently—without burning out or burning bridges.

References

Kock, H., & Heyns, M. (2018). Empathy in leadership: Appropriate or misplaced? An empirical study on a multidimensional scale of empathy. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 39(3), 339–349.

Catalyst. (2021). The Power of Empathy in Times of Crisis and Beyond. Retrieved from www.catalyst.org

Support the show

High-performance doesn’t have to mean high stress and you do NOT have to go at this alone.

Explore executive coaching, retreats, and the EXHALE Method™ at www.executiveexhale.com.

Ready to recalibrate? Book a confidential call and let’s talk about what’s weighing on you and what’s next!

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Channel Disclaimer: Please note that this audio is for informational use only and is not intended to be considered a substitute for consultation with a formal business consultant, personal coach or mental health or health professional. Specific business or personal issues always requires the advice of a certified, licensed or trained professional. Listening to this channel will not establish a coaching or business relationship and therefore, messages containing personal or professionally sensitive information should not be sent to the creator. For any/all business-related inquiries, please contact info@executiveexhale.com

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang

Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.