How to Sustain Your Empathy in Difficult Times
Managers are expected to provide employees with more emotional support than ever—and many are burning out. There’s a better way. by Jamil Zaki

Grace Chon
Summary.
When I started studying empathy, nearly 20 years ago, its status in the workplace was controversial. Many people believed that empathic leadership—which draws on the ability to understand, care about, and vicariously experience the emotions of others—was too “soft” for the hard-charging, competitive world of business.
Read more on Leadership and managing people or related topics Health and wellness, Stress management, Management styles, Burnout, Mental health, Managing employees, Management skills and Interpersonal skills
A version of this article appeared in the January–February 2024 issue of Harvard Business Review.
Read more on Leadership and managing people or related topics Health and wellness, Stress management, Management styles, Burnout, Mental health, Managing employees, Management skills and Interpersonal skills