I hear you and I believe you - on empathy in inclusive leadership

I love this definition of empathy*

When I reflect with managers on inclusive leadership at workshops, we often mention empathy. Aligning, I often ask: how do you understand it?

I like this definition because it reveals two indispensable "ingredients".

"I hear you" - taking time to stop and listen to someone's experience is just one part of the task. "I believe you" is the second one that needs to follow for employees to feel truly included.

It doesn't mean "I agree with you" but it means "I believe your experience that led you to your conclusions and I acknowledge it as a valid one".

And this is really hard because sometimes we perceive those experiences from a completely different angle, influenced by our identity, upbringing, privilege...

True inclusive leadership takes humility to acknowledge that experiences of others are equally valid and being ready to take action levering the role of a leader to remove barriers one personally may not see or experience.

What are your thoughts on the role of empathy in today's leadership?

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* I've read this one in Joanna Chmura (she/her) newest book "To nawet lepiej" and if you're Polish speaker I highly recommend it.