Empathy

“Empathy” has evolved from being seen as a “nice-to-have” to being recognised as a core leadership competency - one that drives engagement, culture, and business performance.

In a world shaped by hybrid working, growing mental health awareness, neurodiversity and generational change, empathy has become essential in modern leadership.

And just as this deeply human skill becomes more critical, artificial intelligence is expanding into every corner of our business processes. While AI can simulate empathy in tone or language, it cannot truly feel it. Empathy, like love, is fundamentally human.

Most of us have received a clumsy automated sales message - one that attempts to connect by referencing our social media and usually gets it wrong. These impersonal moments only widen the opportunity to build relationships through genuine, human empathy led by people, not algorithms.

Leaders with strong empathy demonstrate:

Empathy strengthens internal culture, deepens external relationships and helps leaders bring the best out of their people. It is often the catalyst for start-up growth and a vital ingredient in successful strategic change.

How can businesses evaluate candidate EMPATHY in their recruitment processes?

Empathy is rarely visible on a CV — and when it is, it needs to be tested through behaviour. Here's how:

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For more information on anything discussed in this article, please contact:

Nik Pratap

07936 364 477

nik@pratappartnership.com

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To read the full series of articles, please follow the links below:

The Six Competencies that Power Growth Boards

Six Competencies that Power Growth Boards – Resilience

Six Competencies that Power Growth Boards – Curiosity

Six Competencies that Power Growth Boards – Empathy

Six Competencies that Power Growth Boards – Authenticity

Six Competencies that Power Growth Boards - Courage

Six Competencies that Power Growth Boards - Purpose‍