"Leadership is changing, with more focus on connection and trust. Many executives now show that being authentic actually makes them stronger. With hybrid work changing company culture and employees valuing emotional intelligence, the best leaders are those who lead as people first. A Catalyst study found that 76% of employees who felt empathy from their leaders were more engaged. The Niagara Institute also found that professionals with high EQ earn about $29,000 more per year than those with low EQ."
"Leadership often carries an illusion of perfection, but leaders are human, too, facing the same doubts and fears as everyone else. While professionalism and confidence are essential, they can easily create distance if not balanced with authenticity. When leaders share their own experiences, they demonstrate that strength and vulnerability go hand in hand. This openness builds trust and makes leadership feel more genuine."
Empathy and authenticity are reshaping leadership, with leaders prioritizing connection, trust, and emotional intelligence. Hybrid work and changing expectations elevate people-first leadership. Employees who perceive empathy from leaders show higher engagement, and professionals with stronger emotional intelligence earn significantly more and dominate top-performance rankings. Openness and vulnerability by leaders reduce distance, build trust, and make leadership feel genuine while still requiring clarity and professionalism. Personal disclosures, such as sharing serious health experiences, can deepen team trust. A new generation of leaders leverages soft skills as strengths to redefine influence from the inside out.
Read at Forbes
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