This episode introduces empathy as a core leadership competency and the second essential practice for demonstrating care. Building on the foundation of vulnerability, these Notes on Leading Well explain what empathy is, how it works in the human brain, and why leaders who practice empathy are better equipped to build trust, communicate clearly, and lead people through change.

Listeners will gain a practical understanding of affective and cognitive empathy and how intentional perspective-taking improves employee well-being and organizational effectiveness.

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Key takeaways

Timestamps

[0:00:00] – Introduction to the Well Led Podcast & leadership premise

[0:00:35] – Recap: Vulnerability as a leadership competency

[0:01:27] – Vulnerability as relational and needing sustainability

[0:02:45] – Transition to second competency: Empathy

[0:03:39] – Working definition of empathy + two forms (affective & cognitive)

[0:04:22] – Affective empathy: “feelings about others’ feelings”

[0:05:20] – Cognitive empathy: perspective-taking & To Kill a Mockingbird example

[0:06:34] – Mirror neurons and the biology of empathy

[0:08:35] – What empathy does at work & impact on trust and change

[0:10:25] – Practicing empathy: observation exercise in a public space

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