I recently facilitated a workshop at the USC Center for Third Space Thinking. TST focuses on developing five key attributes necessary for becoming a highly effective leader. These attributes – Adaptability, Cultural Competency, Empathy, Intellectual Curiosity and 360-Degree Thinking – are discussed in my previous blogs.   For me, empathy is at the fulcrum of these essential skills (notice I didn’t call them “soft skills”). I’ve already discussed how creating a culture of trust can actually have a positive effect on oxytocin levels, which results in high performance levels in the organization. However, to develop a trust-laden environment, empathy is key. Additionally, empathy is the connective tissue for each of the other four attributes. It’s hard to be adaptable, culturally competent and curious, or to think with a 360 point-of-view without some level of empathy.   The Center for Creative Leadership conducted a study that included 6,700 managers in over 38 countries. The results revealed that empathy in leaders has a positive correlation to high levels of job performance. It is important to note that having empathy is not the same as demonstrating empathy. Being empathetic is more than just having sympathy towards a situation. It’s about truly understanding. These […]