Empathy and clarity in the workplace. In today’s episode Judith Germain speaks to Erin Herman about navigating tough dynamics with clarity and empathy. Erin and Judith dive into the importance of clarity, courage, empathy, and growth mindset when navigating challenging workplace dynamics and relationships. Erin outlines her “CEG” framework for effective leadership.
You can listen to Episode 484 on any of the popular podcast platforms or apps (including Spotify, and Audible). If you prefer to listen to your browser you can do that below. Enjoy!
Key Takeaways
- The CEG method (Clarity/Courage, Empathy, Growth mindset) is crucial for effective leadership
- Empathy in leadership drives trust, connection, and team loyalty – it’s not a weakness
- Recognising and acknowledging team members’ contributions builds strong rapport and motivation
- Adapting leadership style to organisational context is key for success
Topics
The CEG Method for Leadership
- CEG: Clarity/Courage, Empathy, Growth mindset
- Clarity provides foundation for confidence and courageous decision-making
- Empathy enables understanding team motivations and building trust
- Growth mindset helps navigate failures and uncomfortable situations positively
Importance of empathy in leadership
- Forbes study: Empathy is the most important workplace skill
- 78% higher job satisfaction, 23% lower turnover with empathetic leadership
- Example: Herb Keller (Southwest Airlines CEO) knew employees personally
- Can’t be faked – authenticity is key for long-term success
Recognising Team Members
- Erin’s weekly email practice at St. Jude: highlighting individual contributions
- Built strong rapport quickly, even as a remote manager
- Team member: “I live for Fridays” (when emails were sent)
- Small, intentional acts of recognition have powerful impact
Adapting leadership style
- One-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work across organisations
- Example: JC Penney CEO’s failure to adapt Apple strategies
- Importance of understanding organisational culture and consumer base
- Evolving leadership approach with experience (e.g., handling underperformance)
Erin Herman is a bold speaker and change strategist who empowers women to lead with courage and not fear. She helps organisations turn change into a catalyst for growth.
Erin’s website is here. You can find her on LinkedIn here.
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