February 17, 2026

Striving to understand

43 minutes

In this episode, you will learn how to practice empathy as a leadership skill in real workplace situations. Kate Johnson is joined by Katharine Manning, author of The Empathetic Workplace, to explore what empathy actually looks like in action. They discuss how leaders can move beyond good intentions and develop practical behaviors that build trust, strengthen psychological safety, and improve performance. You will walk away with clear steps for responding to employees who are struggling, handling trauma-informed conversations at work, and building a culture where people feel seen, heard, and supported—without lowering standards or sacrificing results.

If this episode prompts you to think more deeply about trust and connection, download the current free Vulnerability and Leadership Toolkit available from onetwentythree ltd. The worksheets are designed to help you put these ideas into practice immediately and strengthen your leadership habits.

Katharine Manning is a speaker, author, and trainer who has spent more than 25 years working at the intersection of trauma and leadership—first as a DOJ attorney advising on responses to crises like the Boston Marathon bombing and the South Carolina AME Church shooting, and now as an expert and thought leader on empathy at work. Her book, The Empathetic Workplace, provides clear direction and support for leaders who want to respond to trauma on the job with compassion, calm, and confidence. Join Katharine’s text list by texting “blackbird” to 833-975-1945 for weekly messages on empathy, leadership, and taking care of ourselves as we take care of others.

Katharine Manning - Blackbird | LinkedIn

Blackbird

Katharine Manning

Key takeaways

Empathy is a striving to understand another person’s experience, not standing in their shoes.

Leadership empathy requires both thought and feeling—cognitive and affective empathy working together.

Listening and acknowledging are the foundation of any empathetic response.

Psychological safety increases when leaders check in regularly with their teams.

Adapting your communication style is part of demonstrating care.

Empathy is a powerful risk management tool because trust fuels transparency.

Most adults have experienced trauma, so leaders should assume someone on their team may be carrying something heavy.

The LASER method (Listen, Acknowledge, Share, Empower, Return) provides a practical framework for responding to trauma disclosures at work.

Modeling vulnerability is different from venting; leaders must maintain healthy boundaries.

Empathy strengthens accountability and performance rather than weakening it.

Timestamps

[0:00:05] Framing the conversation: empathy in the workplace

[0:01:43] Working definitions of empathy and empathetic leadership

[0:04:50] Empathy as a rigorous leadership skill, not a “soft” extra

[0:10:06] Shifting from theory to action: what empathy looks like day‑to‑day

[0:10:40] Practical tool #1: Regular check‑ins and psychological safety

[0:13:28] Practical tool #2: Team “vernacular” (numbers/weather) for honest check‑ins

[0:19:50] Trauma‑informed leadership and the “paper cut vs knife wound” metaphor

[0:26:01] The LASER technique introduced (Listen, Acknowledge, Share, Empower, Return)

[0:32:03] Empathy for self, vulnerability, and the “full cup spills over” idea

[0:40:30] Empathy as a risk‑management tool and closing resources for leaders

Keywords

workplace empathy, empathetic leadership, psychological safety, trauma informed workplace, leadership communication skills, cognitive empathy, affective empathy, accountability and empathy, leadership trust building, LASER method

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By WRKdefined Podcast Network