Someone asked me recently what I thought was the most important leadership skill.
I didn’t hesitate. “Empathy,” I said.
A story from one of my earliest roles gives a bit of insight into my answer:
In 2000, I was starting as a Firm Administrator for Williams Young & Associates, an accounting firm that would later merge with Wipfli. Life was good. Really good. I had just gotten married, and two weeks later, I started my new role.
A few weeks later, I had a medical situation — the kind where you need to take time off. I knew I needed to do it, but I was scared to let my boss know. I had barely been there a month, and I was convinced I was going to lose my job.
I approached my boss. Told him what was going on.
His answer was short, but warm. “You do whatever you need to do,” he said.
From that point forward, I would have walked through fire for this guy. With those six words, he told he saw me, he heard me, he supported me, and he wanted me to do what I needed to do for my health.
Every time I think about what makes great company culture or employee experience, I think of this boss. In that moment, I felt safe. I felt like a person. Because of that, I was even more determined to be a great employee.
There’s a lot of talk right now about what leaders and companies need to do to engage employees and create an authentic company culture. The best way to do it is to be authentic. Be empathetic. I promise, your employees will notice now—and they’ll remember 20 years from now. That’s the best legacy you can leave.
Kommentare