Empathy… The Most Needed Leadership Trait

Aug 16

Written By Nagham Alsamari

Last week Education Week posted the following question in twitter along with an answer

Educators, in your opinion, what is the #1 trait of a good school leader?
This assistant principal says "tenacity" is key to leadership roles. Here's why. #EWOpinion #EduLeader

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While tenacity is a needed trait in a leader, if we’re talking about the #1 trait… that has to be empathy.

First let's talk about what empathy is …

Empathy is the ability to feel with other individuals and identify with their emotions.

In my humble experience, empathy is a trait needed for all human beings in general. Human interaction happens daily and more often than not misunderstandings and reactions happen too quickly which end up escalating unnecessarily. With the presence of empathy in one individual or more, the conversation in the room changes. Empathy enables an individual to feel with the other person and instead of having a misunderstanding or an argument, the conversation ends up being more meaningful.

Empathy Leads to Understanding

Empathy leads to understanding, where in the example of a school, an empathetic leader instead of blame, pointing fingers, finding a scapegoat or arguing endlessly, empathetic school leaders:

• Put themselves in their staff's shoes

• Try to feel what they're feeling

• Listen to understand not to respond

• Provide opportunities for their staff to take silent breaks with them if they're feeling frustrated and don't want to talk

• Remind their staff of their strengths and their why

• Just being there for them

Therefore, I say empath is the #1 trait needed in a good school leader!

What do you think is the #1 trait in a good school leader?