Empathy, Trust, Fear and Leadership -  Sarah Beaumont

Most communication specialists who work in the area of leadership and self development place emphasis on the importance of establishing empathy and building trust.

Empathy begins with being able to 'step back', achieving a detachment from our own emotions and our emotional reactions to others. Empathic leaders are able to observe themselves and others during interactions with others. In that non-reactive observant space, leaders are able to listen and understand the other person's position and feelings. Empathy combined with Trust are the foundation for effective understanding, communication and relationships. Empathy and Trust are essential in order to develop solutions, win and retain business and to avoid and reduce conflict. Without empathy and trust teams struggle to excel. In a team where the leader lacks empathy and fails to understand the issue of trust, members are unlikely to want to work with that leader for any length of time.

Why is it difficult for many leaders to display empathy and trust ?

Sad as it may be, an inability to be empathic and to establish trust with others is the direct result of underlying fearfulness. If we have an unexamined personal history, where fearfulness has dominated, we are likely to display greater anxiety around trusting others. If we have been raised in an environment where scarcity was an issue then we are likely to carry a fear of losing or missing out. When fear is present, instead of empathy and trust, self interest and selfishness dominate. This can often lead to a belief in a need to exert control through taking autocratic or controlling approaches. But one sided persuasion, agenda driven manipulation or coercion are not sustainable. The lapse into ‘control’ is almost inevitable if a leader hasn’t spent enough time understanding his or her fear based drivers.

To be good leaders we each need to examine and understand our own fearfulness.We all need to be more effective communicators to be successful in business and in life. To do this we need to let go of our fear, build rapport and deepen relationships.

Self awareness, empathy, trust, understanding and sympathetic communications are the key.

About Sarah Beaumont

Sarah Beaumont is PRONOIA’s Managing Director and  has a background in Learning and Development spanning 25 years. Ten years ago, when PRONOIA first formed and after completing qualifications in Counselling and Psychotherapy, Sarah began working with individual clients in a counselling, coaching and mentoring role. In the last five years, Sarah’s business has grown into a national consultancy with close to 40 people The PRONOIA team works with both organisations and individuals. They have worked with a wide range of clients including large corporates, small to medium enterprises and government departments.

Visit PRONOIA at: www.pronoia.com.au