Empathy Is a Leadership Skill

A thought from Sage, Owner — Environment Control of Albuquerque

Empathy, as I live it: love, treat, relate, and respond to others as you would respond to yourself. Not as you would have them respond to you.

Most people on our team are working two or three jobs just to make it. Work has become a second home. And that changes what leadership means — because you're not just managing tasks, you're managing people who are already carrying a lot.

When someone comes at you upset, they're usually not upset at you. You just became the target for something else. When you understand that, you can respond instead of react. That's the difference.

At EC, we try to show it in real ways. Help cover a car repair. Work around a family event. Assume good intent before asking questions. Not because it's policy — because it's right.

Empathy will win every time. It's just not always easy to practice it when you're tired.

— Sage
Environment Control of Albuquerque