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Tessa Ashby | PRIMED

@tessa_primed

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Critical thinking is easy to value - until someone questions your decision.

Emotional Intelligence helps you notice defensiveness, stay curious and consider a different view.

At your next decision meeting, ask:
"What might we be overlooking?"

#Leadership #EmotionalIntelligence #CriticalThinking#WorkplaceCulture#PRIMED by @tessa_primed

#leadershipdevelopment #emotionalintelligence #primed #teamperformance by @tessa_primed

#Recognition#EmotionalIntelligence#Leadership#Primed by @tessa_primed

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺𝘀 — 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀.

I’ve been facilitating Empathy workshops recently, and one thing stands out every time:

𝗠𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗲𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆 — 𝘆𝗲𝘁 𝗳𝗲𝘄 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝘄.

Here’s the reality:
• Empathy ≠ Sympathy
• Empathy ≠ Being “soft”

Empathy is 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. It shapes how we communicate, influence, collaborate, and lead - especially under pressure.

At its core, empathy begins with perspective-taking: understanding another person’s reality without losing your own grounding.

This requires two Emotional Intelligence essentials:

1. 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗮𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 - recognising your own triggers, assumptions, and emotions.
2. 𝗦𝗲𝗹𝗳-𝗿𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 - remaining steady when conversations get challenging or uncomfortable.

Many leaders admit to instinctively rushing to fix problems or deliver the “perfect phrase” when someone shares a struggle.

Real empathy doesn’t rush. It:
• Holds space.
• Listens generously.
• Acknowledges the experience.
• And intentionally improves the situation.

That’s 𝗘𝗺𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

In business terms, empathy driver performance. HBR research shows that empathetic leaders are:

• More trusted and credible.
• Better informed for decision-making.
• More effective in influencing outcomes.
• Capable of sustaining high performing, engaged teams.

Disconnected leadership costs organisations dearly:

• Burnout
• Poor collaboration
• Withheld information
• Low morale

When leaders lead with empathy:

• Conversations open instead of close.
• Disagreements turn into insight.
• Accountability strengthens through trust.
• Teams collaborate with more creativity and energy.

Empathy is strategic, measurable, and business critical.
It transforms how teams work, speak, and grow together.

💡 Reflection: When has empathy shifted a conversation or decision in your team? I’d love to hear the impact. by @tessa_primed