Gary Vaynerchuk says it's one of the biggest things to which he attributes his success. Simon Sinek believes it's the most important instrument in a leader's toolbox. And Oprah Winfrey cites it as fundamental to leadership. The secret of their success is something that might surprise you: EMPATHY. This soft skill is often misunderstood and confused with its cousin, sympathy, which is feeling compassion for somebody. But empathy is about putting yourself in someone else’s shoes and seeing things from their perspective. How can YOU be more a more empathetic leader? First, shift your mindset to put people first. See them as human beings rather than a means to the end of a transaction or task. Next, ask thoughtful and probing questions that draw out implications and feelings. Finally, use your awareness to give others your full attention and truly listen to what matters most to them. When you do these things, you’ll better understand your customers, colleagues, and partners, and then be able to use those insights in ways to better serve and communicate with them. And in this way, empathy can give you an edge as a leader—and as a human being. #empathy #leadership #business #success #relationships #communication #growth #softskills #career #HumansFirst #growthmindset …see more