One of the qualities that is least discussed when it comes to defining a great leader is empathy. Many other aptitudes such as determination and intelligence are often linked to leadership to the detriment of softer skills such as the one discussed in this article, namely empathy.
In simple terms, empathy means: “putting yourself in the other person’s shoes” or “seeing things through someone else’s eyes.”
A formal definition of empathy is the ability to identify and understand another’s situation, feelings, and motives. Basically, it’s our capacity to recognize the concerns the people around us have and interpret their actions accurately.
