Leadership is all about making decisions that affect other people.
It's a privilege, not a right.
And it's something that's earned through hard work, through service to others, and through a demonstrated capacity for empathy.
A lack of empathy is the number one quality of a bad leader.
But what is empathy, really?
At its core, empathy is the ability to see the world from someone else's perspective. It's the ability to understand how someone else is feeling and to respond in a way that takes their feelings into account.
This can be difficult, especially when we're wrapped up in our own lives and our own perspective. But it's essential for good leadership.
Leaders who can empathize with their team are better able to understand their needs and to respond in a way that builds trust and encourages collaboration. They're also better able to navigate difficult conversations and to resolve conflicts in a way that benefits everyone involved.
If you want to be a good leader, start by developing your empathy skills. Try to put yourself in other people's shoes and listen more than you talk.
Be open to different points of view, and be willing to change your mind in response to new information. Finally, and most importantly, don't be afraid to show your team that you care about them and their well-being.