The Executive Exhale Podcast

74 | Empathy Isn’t Weak—It’s Your Superpower!

Tammy Delaney-Plugowsky Episode 74

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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In this episode, I challenge the outdated belief that heart-centered leadership is soft or impractical.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

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