Discussion around the world about leadership is changing from dictatorial to caring, and the word empathy is often used in this context. What is this as it relates to leadership, why does it matter, and how can we apply this in our capacity as volunteer leaders?

Empathy is defined as "...being sensitive to, and vicariously experiencing the feelings, thoughts and experience of another".  That sounds a bit intimidating, but it becomes a little easier to put into action when we think of this as actively sharing the emotional experience of another person. What does this look like in reality? In short, an empathetic leader is one who genuinely listens to understand and connect with another's feelings and concerns, who not only cares, but makes the effort to walk in someone else's shoes.

Demonstrating empathy in leadership is extra important in a volunteer role where personal satisfaction or a desire to contribute is the primary reward.  There are other benefits as well - leaders who feel heard and understood are more likely to approach you with their ideas and challenges. They're also more likely to speak positively of their leadership experience to fellow members, and thus encourage others to step up to lead. Part of effective district leadership includes building new leaders, and your connection with existing leaders will either foster or inhibit this. There's a personal benefit as well - by creating a personal connection with those around you, you'll enjoy a much more productive and rewarding tenure in leadership!

There's never a bad time to apply empathy in a situation, though some may be more challenging than others. It's likely that as a district leader, members, club leaders, and other district leaders will come to you with their challenges, questions and triumphs. These moments give you the opportunity to build an atmosphere of teamwork and collaboration within your district, and the chance to be a leader who truly leads by caring about those around them. Your empathy makes a huge contribution to others' success in leaders, to building new leaders, and ultimately to your district's success!