Empathy
Empathy is when leaders take the time and effort to really understand what their followers are going through. This includes actively listening, and communicating in an honest way. Leaders who utilize empathy create an atmosphere of trust and respect among their followers.
Empathy is an important skill that all leaders shoul have and use. It helps leaders relate to their teammates or followers. Using empathy also gives leaders inside as to why a person might be acting the way they are or doing the things they are. Empathy is an important skill leaders can use to strengthen the bond between members and themselves.
Artifact: Empathy
The artifact that I chose for this core competency is an excersise we practiced while taking OGL 340: The Aikido Way. The excercise included a method called "Spitting out the hook". This means that when confronted with an emotional or angry situation, you do a series of steps to solve this conflict. First being that you make an effort to understand the person attacking you. Then you try to understand why you are feeling attacked. This whole method of conflict solution revolves around understanding that the angry energy being directed towards you is not about you. You have to make the effort to understand why this person is upset, and what made them feel this way, while also not reacting in a defensively. This method utilizes the core competency of empathy by trying to relate and understand the other persons point of view.
Reflection
It is important that leaders use empathy when interacting with their team members or followers. We have learned this while participating in Organizational Leadership program. Leaders who can show empathy to their teams have a stronger bond and relationship with them. Seeing things from another person's point of view not only helps you understand them and their actions, but could potentially help you solve other problems as well.
Growth and Development
While learning about the importance of empathy in leaders, I have seen my own empathy towards other people grow. I have learned that it is important to stop and consider the different situations individuals might be in. This makes it easier to try and see things from others points of view. By practicing using empathy with those I am surrounded by, I have been able to strengthen existing relationships, and form new relationships as well. This is an important skill leaders should have, because it helps them connect and understand those they are surrounded by.