Empathetic Leadership Strategies: Staying Open, Leading with Heart

One thing I’ve come to realize over the years is that leadership isn’t about having all the answers or keeping everything under control. It’s about staying open—open to change, to feedback, and to the idea that we don’t have it all figured out. And that’s okay.

Working in public media, I’ve had plenty of moments where the world around me seemed to shift overnight. It’s easy to feel like you’re scrambling to keep up. But what I’ve learned is this: sometimes the bravest thing we can do as leaders is to pause, listen, and be flexible enough to adapt.

At WUCF, we've been talking a lot about creating space for honest conversations within our teams. Those moments where we drop the pretense of having it all together and ask, “What’s really going on?” But listening is only the beginning. What defines us as leaders is how we respond—our willingness to change direction when needed. That’s where the magic happens. And it’s not always easy. Adapting means letting go of control and stepping into the unknown.

I’ve been inspired by Seth Godin’s Purple Cow, which reminds us that standing out isn’t about being loud or flashy. It’s about embracing what makes you remarkable. And sometimes, being remarkable means leading with quiet empathy—being the leader who listens, asks the hard questions, and makes changes based on the answers.

Here’s the advice around empathetic leadership strategies I’m reminding myself of lately:

• Loosen Your Grip: We all have plans for how things should go, but sometimes the best thing we can do is let go of control and trust the process. Your team will thank you for it.

• Listen, Really Listen: Asking for feedback isn’t enough. Leadership is about truly hearing what’s being said—and what’s not—and letting that guide your next steps.

• Small Changes, Big Heart: Don’t underestimate the power of small adjustments. Those quiet shifts behind the scenes can create real impact over time.

I don’t have all the answers, but here’s what I do know: leadership, especially in a world that’s constantly changing, is about staying soft when things get tough. It’s about staying curious, staying open, and leading with heart.

So, here’s my question for you: What’s one small change you can make today that could open the door to something truly remarkable? Are you ready to embrace empathetic leadership strategies: staying open and leading with heart?