Empathy or Logic: What Makes a Better Leader?
Leadership is all about leadership for what. With that, logical and empathic leaders shine in different scenarios.
For example, in consulting, success equals relationships. It is about the network you have. It is about understanding your clients, their pain points, successes, and needs. It is about providing effective solutions that resonate with your clients.
Consulting leaders are empathic. They approach every conversation with the question of “what’s in it for them?” Their empathy equals success.
When things are not going well, logical leaders shine. They will organize the work, model risks, and make decisions based on the facts. These leaders are extreme operators, and they can get companies back on track. They make decisions for the business even at the expense of individuals.
Operational leaders are logical. They approach every conversation with a focus on the best decision or outcome.
Most leaders are not either empathic or logical; they are both. In fact, a good leader will have a strong business acumen to make the right decisions. They also will balance the business decision making with the effects on others.
A better leader knows when to play logic and when to play empathy.
