If we lack empathy, we are insensitive and indifferent toward others, and we lack understanding and warmth.

As a leader, if you do not express empathy toward others, you appear as not compassionate and not wanting to understand others. This will cause trust to decrease and erode.

Enemies of empathy:

• Lack of Time – When we think we are too busy to care about the needs of others, we lack empathy.
• Sense of Inadequacy – Feeling unprepared to help someone who is struggling may cause you to lack empathy.
• Judgmental Attitude – When we do not take the time to consider other people’s perspectives and struggles, it is easy to become judgmental of their actions and decisions.