Leaders who care: Exploring empathy as an essential trait in 21st century corporate leadership

<p>In a field dominated by eclectic leadership styles, leaders have the capacity to influence worker experiences and organizational outcomes. This study examines particular leadership traits that may influence the overall organizational environment. Specifically, the study proposes that empathy is significant for effective leadership. Eighteen leaders in various industries participated in semi-structured interviews regarding their practices and perspectives. The results delineate a compilation of emergent themes as well as data findings regarding specific areas of inquiry. Five major categories were found regarding empathy as an aspect of 21st century leadership: industry-based perspectives, generational demographics, technology, employees as people first and workers second, and the link between empathy and productivity. Additionally, four major categories were found in regards to how empathy is established in organizational culture: training programs/workshops, organizational success measures, daily communication habits/interaction, and work activities/traditions. The results indicate that empathy is an essential trait for 21st century leadership and beyond.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Level thesis:degree_level

Open Access Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Communication, Media and Theatre Arts

Year dc:date.available

2015

Author dc:creator

• Terrasi, Elizabeth Mary

Contributors dc:contributor

• Jeannette Kindred, Ph.D., Chair
• Don Ritzenhein, Ph.D.
• Nick Romerhausen, Ph.D.

• Empathy
• job satisfaction
• leadership
• corporate culture
• Leadership Studies
• Organizational Communication

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.emich.edu/theses/623

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.emich.edu:theses-2002