Leading with Empathy: A Better Way to Communicate Leadership Decisions

As leaders, we are often tasked with making difficult decisions that impact the lives of our team members. These decisions can affect not only the individual’s professional trajectory but also their personal well-being. Recently, I came across a scenario that highlights the importance of transparent communication and empathy when making such decisions.

A friend of mine, let’s call her Jane, received an email while on family holiday from her department manager, Michael X, informing her that someone else would be appointed to a role she had been acting in for the past 18 months. The email was brief, mentioning Maria, the new appointee, and that Maria’s resume was attached for context. Jane had never been given the opportunity to apply for the role.

While it may be legal for Michael to appoint Maria to the role, the way this decision was communicated—and the timing of it—leaves much to be desired from a leadership perspective. Let’s examine the situation, why it’s crucial to do better, and how leaders can handle such decisions with empathy and integrity.