Nurturing Empathy

Views on empathy and leadership in business schools: An empirical study of undergraduate students

“…Empathy has received an increasing level of interest from academics and practitioners as emerging research recognizes its importance in leadership (Holt, 2022). Researchers argue that leaders should understand which emotional intelligence competencies they are lacking and increase the presence of those competencies in leadership styles applied to unique situational factors (Goleman, 2000).…”

“…Researchers argue that leaders should understand which emotional intelligence competencies they are lacking and increase the presence of those competencies in leadership styles applied to unique situational factors (Goleman, 2000). As an essential aspect of 21st century leadership, empathy can no longer be ignored if we wish to prevent the continuation of ethical disasters in the world we live in (Holt, 2022).…”

“…Pavlovich and Krahnke (2012) argue that empathy enhances connectedness through the unconscious sharing of neuro-pathways between oneself and others, which facilitates the ability to find common ground. Empathy can be viewed as having compassion for and being attuned to the emotions of others (Holt, 2022). Goleman (2000) asserts that emotional empathy – sensing how people are feeling in the moment – allows leaders to build rapport with individual employees by responding in ways that are highly congruent with their emotions.…”

“…Changes in the sociocultural environment can have significant influences on individuals, dependent on which birth cohort they are a member of (Stewart and Healy, 1989; Twenge, 2000). During the early 2000s, a certain level of cynicism with regard to empathy began to set in, especially among younger individuals (Holt, 2022). An overemphasis on tough or hard skills and a restraint of soft skills led to a lack of inter-human sensitivity (Marques, 2013).…”

“…An overemphasis on tough or hard skills and a restraint of soft skills led to a lack of inter-human sensitivity (Marques, 2013). Millennials and Generation Z tend to view leadership from a different perspective than the generational cohorts that came before them in that they may not automatically respect someone older and respect only those who show appreciation for them (Holt, 2022). It has been suggested that consideration should be given to the diversity of the generational cohorts working within organizations (Holt et al, 2012).…”