The Importance and Value of Empathy in Crisis Team Leaders

Even with the best preparation, impeccable reputation and exemplary employees, the worst can happen. Leaders who excel in managing these times need to do more that manage. They must show empathy to all parties involved, regardless of whether they are in crisis or not. Leadership must understand and consistently demonstrate empathy to all those involved in crisis situations. When crisis team leaders support everyone to do their best, it makes response procedures more effective, despite any adverse consequences.

Empathetic responses build trust in others and increase hope for those working toward solutions. They help to validate the humanity and provide reassurance for everyone involved. Empathy recognizes that empathy can help you meet the needs of strong, ethical and judicious leaders while still utilizing your limited resources to its full potential. A solid foundation is necessary to meet the increasingly complex demands of crisis. For their emergency responders, effective leaders provide this guideline.

Empathy is more than just being sensitive to the suffering of others. It is a responsive and active process that allows for a flexible and adaptable ‘dialogue.’ A team leader who is compassionate, for instance, is aware that crisis situations require visible and accessible leadership. But he or she continues to offer it. Awareness is the foundation. Once a problem is resolved, everyone can use this awareness to help them get ‘home’. Understanding the concerns and feelings of responders will help a team leader. The Effective Team Leader and all those who rely upon it must have this information.

All parties involved are likely to feel traumatized by an emergency situation. The survival reaction to crisis is not only limited to life-threatening situations, as emergency responders have shown us. They face all sorts of dangers, whether that is financial loss or the loss in integrity, respect, and popularity. An effective crisis team leader can play a crucial role in understanding and mediating trauma.

Any type of crisis is a psychologically overwhelming Arif Bhalwani Wife experience that threatens to overwhelm talent, expertise and experience. Empathetic leaders balance two perspectives: an ‘aerial’ view of the whole picture and a more in-the trenches view of those involved. They will be able to meet the needs and expectations of their project as well as their stakeholders by providing detailed and reliable information, communication avenues, a vision of success and a belief that their efforts will succeed. These empathic leadership responses build trust which is a crucial bridge between all parties. We know that trusting one’s leader can inspire resolve. However, this is not always sufficient in times of crisis. It is possible to lose resolve when you have a high workload and are under tension. You need to have resilience or access the resources that optimize and sustain your ability to cope for the long term.

Research has shown that resilience is greatly enhanced when leaders respond to the concerns, emotions and needs of people in crisis. They not only show empathy but also depend on it to increase their effectiveness. A visible, accessible leader who reacts empathetically to change and adversity.

Leadership empathy facilitates stakeholder access to protection factors during high-risk events. The increased risk of crises can be managed with greater resolve, adaptability, positive expectancy, and more resilience. Empathetic leadership increases resilience for stakeholders. Empathy leadership is essential for fostering resilience.