This is your The Women's Leadership Podcast podcast.
Welcome to The Women’s Leadership Podcast. Today, we’re diving straight into the heart of what sets transformative leaders apart: leading with empathy, and specifically, how women leaders can foster psychological safety in the workplace.
Let’s get right to it—empathy in leadership is more than a buzzword; it’s a true game-changer. According to the Center for Creative Leadership, empathy is not just about understanding others but about sharing and validating feelings. This builds trust and psychological safety—a work environment where everyone feels seen, heard, valued, and, crucially, safe to express their ideas, even if those ideas go against the grain or challenge the status quo. Companies led by empathetic women often see better innovation, collaboration, and productivity, but the core advantage is creating an atmosphere where people thrive.
Take inspiration from New Zealand’s former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Her leadership through national crises, from the Christchurch mosque attacks to the pandemic, was marked by open communication and genuine care, showing the world how empathy can unify and support even under immense pressure. In the business sphere, Sheryl Sandberg, as COO of Facebook, opened doors for conversations around grief, resilience, and support for women in the workplace, encouraging teams to bring their full, authentic selves to work.
At the heart of psychological safety is permission—the permission to speak up, to take risks, and to be vulnerable without fear. For many women, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, this has not always been a given. In fact, a lack of psychological safety can hold women back, increasing risks of burnout, hampering career progression, and compounding feelings of isolation. But when women leaders champion psychological safety, everyone benefits: more voices are heard, innovation increases, and organizations become places where diverse perspectives aren’t just invited but actively sought out.
So how do women leading with empathy actually foster psychological safety? First, active listening is essential. That means genuinely hearing what people say and reflecting it back, not brushing past uncomfortable truths. Leaders like Savitha Raghunathan at Red Hat champion emotional intelligence—being aware of one’s own emotions and those of others to guide action with insight and compassion. By staying emotionally attuned, women leaders create environments grounded in trust and respect.
Open communication follows. Maintaining regular, transparent conversations, asking for feedback, and celebrating individual and team wins, as many healthcare organizations discovered, helped reduce stress and inspire teams through uncertain times. Women leaders also model vulnerability—sharing their own stories, admitting mistakes, and framing failures as opportunities to learn, not as disasters to be hidden.
Inclusivity cannot be overstated. Empathetic women leaders foster diverse, equitable teams by acknowledging and celebrating individual backgrounds, implementing flexible work arrangements, and standing firm against bias and discrimination. Creating space for new—and sometimes wild—ideas means making it safe for people to challenge the norm without fear of punishment.
Listeners, if you’re a woman in leadership, reflect on your own stories. What makes your team feel safe—or unsafe? Where can you show more empathy? By mentoring, offering constructive feedback, visibly supporting your team through both challenges and victories, you set the stage for a culture where psychological safety isn’t optional—it’s non-negotiable.
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