Remembering Where You Started

In the rush of deadlines, strategic pivots, and high-stakes decision-making, it's easy for business leaders to forget one essential truth: you weren’t always at the top.

Think back to your first adult job. The uncertainty. The impostor syndrome. The quiet voice in your head whispering, “Just try to make it through the day without messing up.” You probably didn’t know all the protocols or how to navigate difficult conversations. You stayed up late trying to figure things out, mimicking those around you, hoping no one would notice how inexperienced you really were.

But then there was someone. A coworker who offered patient guidance. A mentor who saw something in you that you hadn’t yet learned to see in yourself. A leader who gave you a shot, not because you were the most polished, but because they recognized your potential. That person, whoever they were, may have changed the trajectory of your entire career.

Now it’s your turn to be that someone.

Empathetic leadership is often misunderstood as being soft, but in truth, it is one of the most powerful tools a leader can use. Empathy creates trust, and trust fuels performance. It allows you to unlock the full potential of your team by creating an environment where people are not afraid to try, to speak up, or to grow.

According to a 2021 study by Catalyst, 61 percent of employees with highly empathetic senior leaders reported being innovative at work. Only 13 percent said the same when empathy was lacking. Another report from Businessolver in 2023 found that 87 percent of CEOs believe their organization’s financial performance is directly tied to empathy in the workplace. Yet, only 68 percent of employees feel that empathy is actually present where they work. The disconnect is real, and it is costly.

When leaders forget where they came from, they risk losing touch with the heartbeat of their organization. But when you remember what it felt like to be overlooked, overwhelmed, or underprepared, you lead differently. You create a culture where people aren’t punished for learning, where curiosity is encouraged, and where growth is celebrated rather than guarded. You become a leader who doesn’t just manage tasks but shapes lives.

This kind of leadership does not require perfection. It simply requires presence. It means taking the time to check in, not just check up. It means telling your team that you see them, even when they are still trying to see their own value. It means remembering that someone once opened a door for you, and now you have the privilege of holding that door open for someone else.

Today's leadership cannot just be about achieving results. It must also be about becoming the kind of person others are better for working with. The confidence you have today was once a fragile, growing thing. And just like someone once believed in you, your team needs you to believe in them, especially when they are still finding their footing.

So here’s a simple invitation: take a moment this week to write a thank-you note to the person who saw something in you early on. Then, look around your team. Find someone who reminds you of yourself when you were just starting out, and commit to investing in their growth over the next 90 days.

Empathy is not just a leadership quality. It is a legacy. And the future of your workplace depends on it.

Sources:

• Catalyst. (2021). The Power of Empathy in Times of Crisis and Beyond.

• Businessolver. (2023). State of Workplace Empathy Report.

• Harvard Business Review. (2020). Why Do So Many Managers Forget They’re Human Beings?