When Empathy Becomes Sympathy: What’s the difference?

Episode #135 // Is there such a thing as “too much empathy”? Despite what many pundits say, I believe that there’s a place for almost limitless empathy in a leader. The more you have, the better you’ll be able to lead your people. 

The risk is that weak leaders often allow their empathy to devolve into sympathy, which is a very different thing.

If you combine empathy with the right leadership behaviours - strength of character and uncompromising standards - it will build the foundations for everything you need to do as a leader.

In this episode, I take a critical look at the nexus between empathy and sympathy. If you’re aware of this distinction, you’re more likely to resist the temptation to become a weak leader who rationalises, avoids, and freezes when faced with difficult choices.

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