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  • Empathy Unlocked: Women Leaders Fueling Psychological Safety

    Empathy Unlocked: Women Leaders Fueling Psychological Safety
    2025/07/09
    This is your The Women's Leadership Podcast podcast.

    Welcome back to The Women’s Leadership Podcast. Today, we’re diving right into a key asset that’s transforming workplace culture worldwide: leading with empathy, and how as women leaders, we can foster true psychological safety for everyone on our teams.

    Let’s be honest—empathy has often been called a soft skill, but in reality, it’s a serious driver of success. Research shows that women leaders frequently display higher levels of empathy than their male counterparts, and this is not just a feel-good trait. It enables us to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, build stronger, more collaborative teams, and create workplaces where everyone feels respected and valued. In fact, Jacinda Ardern’s response to crises in New Zealand and Sheryl Sandberg’s candid leadership at Meta have both underscored how empathy is a game changer in building trust and unity during challenging times.

    But what does leading with empathy really look like day-to-day? It starts with active listening. When you genuinely hear your team’s concerns—without interruption or judgment—you show that every voice matters. This invites people to share new ideas and raise issues early before they escalate. Savitha Raghunathan, a senior leader at Red Hat, often highlights how being emotionally attuned fosters a responsive, supportive environment and a culture of mutual respect. It is this emotional intelligence, the ability to understand and manage your own emotions and those of others, that distinguishes empathetic leadership.

    Another cornerstone is fostering open communication and modeling vulnerability. Psychological safety means your team trusts that they can speak up, take risks, and admit mistakes without fear of reprisal or ridicule. According to workplace research, when psychological safety is missing, women—especially those from underrepresented backgrounds—might stay silent, miss opportunities, or experience burnout. On the flipside, safe environments empower all voices, drive innovation, and build happier teams.

    Women leaders can be role models here by openly sharing lessons from their own setbacks and showing how risk and failure are simply opportunities for growth, not grounds for punishment. Encourage your team to experiment and support them when things don’t go as planned. Establishing this norm not only boosts resilience but also sparks creativity.

    Another discussion point is inclusivity. Empathetic leadership isn’t just about kindness; it’s about actively seeking out and valuing diverse perspectives. Recognize and celebrate your team’s differences—this helps everyone feel safe to show up as their authentic selves, which, as Alex Bishop pointed out at the Page Executive Women in Leadership event, is absolutely vital for high performance. Psychological safety can only flourish when inclusivity is lived, not just declared.

    To sum up, leading with empathy is a daily commitment. Actively listen, celebrate vulnerability, model inclusivity, and support your team through risk-taking and failure. These are strategies that not only nurture psychological safety but also set the stage for meaningful, lasting change in our workplaces.

    Thank you for tuning in to The Women’s Leadership Podcast. Don’t forget to subscribe and join our community of empowered women leaders. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease dot ai.

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    3 分
  • Empowered and Heard: Women Leaders Fostering Psychological Safety

    Empowered and Heard: Women Leaders Fostering Psychological Safety
    2025/07/07
    This is your The Women's Leadership Podcast podcast.

    Welcome to The Women's Leadership Podcast. Today, let’s dive headfirst into a topic that’s not just trending—it's transforming workplaces and redefining what it truly means to lead: leading with empathy, and how women leaders are uniquely positioned to foster psychological safety in the workplace.

    Imagine a team where everyone’s voice matters—a place where you don’t have to worry if asking for help will brand you as weak, or if sharing an unconventional idea will jeopardize your credibility. For too many women, these anxieties are daily realities. According to research from KPMG, nearly 68% of women feel they must prove themselves more than their male colleagues, and 57% report experiencing microaggressions compared to 37% of men. This highlights why psychology safety isn’t just a buzzword—it's the lifeblood for a diverse, thriving workplace.

    Empathy is at the heart of psychological safety. Women leaders, like Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand and Sheryl Sandberg at Facebook, have shown the world how leading with empathy creates environments where people feel seen, heard, and empowered. Ardern’s compassionate response to crises and Sandberg’s open discussions about vulnerability set a new standard for inclusive leadership.

    So, how do women leaders foster this safety? It starts with emotional intelligence. Women often score higher on emotional intelligence, enabling them to navigate complex interpersonal dynamics, address hidden anxieties, and build trust. Savitha Raghunathan, Senior Software Engineer at Red Hat, emphasizes that being attuned to our own emotions—along with our team’s—creates a foundation for mutual respect and understanding.

    Active listening is a powerful tool. When a leader truly listens, team members are far more likely to share challenges and ideas without fear of judgment. Creating space for open dialogue—where mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth, not ammunition for criticism—reinforces this psychological safety net and builds a culture of innovation.

    But empathy isn’t just about kindness. It’s about courageous conversations. Alexandra Bishop from the recent Page Executive Women in Leadership Dinner said psychological safety means creating an environment where everyone can be their true authentic selves. Without this, even the most diverse teams can fall into groupthink if people are afraid to speak up.

    Empathy-driven leadership also requires actively combating bias and microaggressions. That means calling out unfair treatment, inviting diverse perspectives, and ensuring every team member’s skills and talents are valued. When women lead inclusively and model vulnerability by admitting mistakes and asking for help, they normalize authenticity and resilience, setting a new tone for organizational culture.

    So, for today’s discussion points: How can leaders invite more honest conversations? What practical steps can you take to model empathy in your daily interactions? And what systems can your organization create to prevent microaggressions and support risk-taking, especially from women and other underrepresented groups?

    Leading with empathy isn’t just good for morale—it leads to higher performing teams, greater innovation, and more sustainable growth. Let’s challenge ourselves to not only talk about psychological safety but to live it, every single day.

    Thank you for tuning in to The Women’s Leadership Podcast. Don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss an episode. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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    3 分
  • Empathy Unleashed: Women Leaders Fostering Psychological Safety

    Empathy Unleashed: Women Leaders Fostering Psychological Safety
    2025/07/06
    This is your The Women's Leadership Podcast podcast.

    Welcome to The Women’s Leadership Podcast, where we spark bold conversations about what it takes to lead with courage, vision, and heart. Today, let’s dive right into one of the most vital—and powerful—skills in any leader’s toolkit: empathy, and how women leaders can foster true psychological safety in the workplace.

    Empathy isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a transformative force. Research consistently shows that women in leadership roles often demonstrate higher levels of empathy than their male counterparts, and this isn’t about being “soft.” It’s about showing up, listening deeply, and understanding the lived experiences of those around us. Consider how Jacinda Ardern, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, set a global example with her compassionate leadership during times of crisis. Her approach wasn’t just kind—it was effective, bringing people together and creating a climate of trust and resilience. Or think of Sheryl Sandberg at Facebook, opening up conversations about grief, resilience, and inclusion in one of the world’s most high-pressure industries. Leaders like these don’t just inspire—they change the entire culture of their organizations.

    But what does leading with empathy actually look like day to day? It starts with active listening. This means not just hearing your team, but really tuning in. Women leaders often bring strong emotional intelligence to the table: an awareness of both their own emotions and those of others. Savitha Raghunathan, a senior software engineer at Red Hat, highlights how being attuned to emotions can make teams more responsive and workplaces more trusting and respectful. Emotional intelligence isn’t just a skill; it’s foundational for building psychological safety—that all-important sense that you can speak up, share an idea, or even make a mistake without fear of humiliation or retaliation.

    Creating psychological safety is especially critical for women and other underrepresented groups, who often face unique challenges at work—bias, microaggressions, or feeling isolated. When leaders foster real psychological safety, everyone is empowered to contribute authentically, take smart risks, and grow. Alex Bishop, a leader who’s spoken on this topic, stresses that it’s not enough to simply have a diverse team; the environment must also be inclusive and safe for every voice.

    So, what are some actionable strategies for women leaders who want to put empathy into practice and foster psychological safety? Start by making it a visible priority—talk openly about its importance. Facilitate open communication, encourage risk-taking and learning from failure, and model vulnerability by sharing your own lessons learned. Prioritize everyone’s well-being and create space for wild new ideas, even if they seem out of the box. And always, always celebrate the courage it takes to speak up.

    Empathy isn’t a “nice to have”—it’s a non-negotiable for building strong, innovative, and equitable workplaces. By leading with empathy, women aren’t just managing teams—they’re reshaping organizations and creating cultures where everyone can thrive.

    Thank you for tuning in to The Women’s Leadership Podcast. Don’t forget to subscribe to stay inspired and empowered. This has been a Quiet Please production, for more check out quietplease dot ai.

    For more http://www.quietplease.ai


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    3 分
  • Empathy Unlocked: Women Leaders Fueling Psychological Safety at Work

    Empathy Unlocked: Women Leaders Fueling Psychological Safety at Work
    2025/07/06
    This is your The Women's Leadership Podcast podcast.

    Welcome to The Women’s Leadership Podcast. Today’s episode focuses on a subject at the heart of powerful, lasting change in organizations—leading with empathy, and how women leaders can foster psychological safety at work.

    Let’s get right to it: women leaders are redefining workplace culture across industries by showing that empathy isn’t just a soft skill—it’s a strategic superpower. We see this in action with leaders like Jacinda Ardern in New Zealand, whose compassion during national crises built unity and resilience, and Sheryl Sandberg at Facebook, whose openness about loss and advocacy for women created a culture of support and authenticity.

    So, what does it mean, in practice, to lead with empathy? Research consistently finds that women score high in emotional intelligence, excelling at reading the room, picking up unspoken anxieties, and connecting deeply with team members. This puts women in a unique position to build environments where people feel seen, heard, and encouraged to bring their whole selves to work.

    Empathy starts with active listening. It’s about hearing beyond the words—tuning into what’s being said and, equally importantly, what isn’t. By practicing active listening, leaders like Red Hat’s Savitha Raghunathan demonstrate that emotional awareness isn’t just about understanding others’ feelings—it’s about using that understanding to make smarter, more compassionate decisions in real time.

    This brings us to psychological safety. Imagine a workplace where everyone—from the newest intern to the CEO—feels comfortable voicing ideas, asking questions, or even challenging the status quo without fear of embarrassment or retaliation. Data shows that environments lacking psychological safety see less innovation, higher burnout, and fewer women advancing into leadership. As Alex Bishop puts it, “psychological safety means creating an environment where everyone can be their authentic selves.” For women, this is especially crucial. Without it, bias, stereotype threat, and isolation can silence voices and stifle potential.

    To foster psychological safety, women leaders need to model vulnerability themselves. That’s sharing your own mistakes, welcoming feedback, and showing that imperfection is part of growth. When you lead by example, you invite your team to step forward with their ideas—even the wild ones—and you turn mistakes into catalysts for learning.

    Inclusivity is also essential. An empathetic leader doesn’t just tolerate difference, she celebrates it. That means creating space for every voice, ensuring meetings are equitable, and seeking out perspectives you might otherwise miss. It’s about building teams where diversity isn’t just a buzzword but the engine of creativity and success.

    Let’s turn these insights into action. As women leading with empathy, our charge is clear. Encourage open communication, cultivate emotional intelligence, and make psychological safety a non-negotiable. The result is a workplace where women—and everyone—can thrive, innovate, and lead without limits.

    Thanks for listening to The Women’s Leadership Podcast. Let’s keep leading with empathy and transforming the world, one workplace at a time.

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    3 分
  • Leading with Heart: Women Fostering Empathy and Psychological Safety at Work

    Leading with Heart: Women Fostering Empathy and Psychological Safety at Work
    2025/07/02
    This is your The Women's Leadership Podcast podcast.

    Welcome back to The Women’s Leadership Podcast. Today, we’re going right to the heart of what makes outstanding leaders—and why women so often excel in this arena. This episode is all about leading with empathy and how women leaders can foster psychological safety in the workplace.

    Empathy isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a core leadership skill that distinguishes the most effective teams from the rest. In fact, research consistently shows that women frequently score higher on measures of emotional intelligence—a key foundation for empathy—allowing them to connect on a human level, navigate complex relationships, and guide teams through uncertainty. Emotional intelligence doesn’t just mean being “nice.” It’s deeply rooted in self-awareness, active listening, and a genuine curiosity about others’ perspectives. Savitha Raghunathan, a senior software engineer at Red Hat, puts it beautifully: being attuned to your own and your team’s emotions creates a responsive and respectful environment where everyone can thrive.

    Now let’s talk about psychological safety. That’s the sense every team member has that they can express ideas, take risks, and even make mistakes without fear of embarrassment or retaliation. When women—especially those from historically underrepresented groups—lack psychological safety, they’re less likely to speak up, offer innovative solutions, or put themselves forward for leadership roles. According to a recent KPMG study, sixty-eight percent of women feel they need to prove themselves more than their male counterparts. More than half have experienced microaggressions at work. So, how can women leaders change this narrative and create cultures where everyone’s voice counts?

    Here are some practical strategies. First, champion inclusive communication. Make time for check-ins and give your full attention when someone else is speaking. This isn’t just about listening—it’s about making people feel seen and valued. Second, encourage open dialogue and transparency in all conversations. When issues—big or small—arise, address them head-on with honesty and compassion. Third, foster flexibility. Life is complicated. Whether it’s through remote work options, flexible hours, or mental health resources, showing genuine care for employees’ well-being builds trust and loyalty.

    Recognition is another powerful lever. Celebrate wins—big or small. Public acknowledgment can transform someone’s confidence and sense of belonging. And don’t shy away from giving feedback, but always aim to be constructive and supportive, focusing on growth rather than criticism.

    Finally, remember the power of vulnerability. Leadership isn’t about perfection. Sometimes, the best way to foster empathy and safety is by admitting when you don’t have all the answers—or when you’ve made a mistake yourself.

    So, for our discussion: How have you, as a woman leader, created a space where psychological safety and empathy are the norm? What challenges have you faced in that process, and what advice would you give to others on this journey? Let’s start the conversation.

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    3 分
  • Empathy Unlocked: Women Leaders Fueling Psychological Safety

    Empathy Unlocked: Women Leaders Fueling Psychological Safety
    2025/06/29
    This is your The Women's Leadership Podcast podcast.

    Welcome to The Women’s Leadership Podcast. Today, we dive straight into a core superpower of women in leadership: leading with empathy—and how this is the foundation for fostering psychological safety in the workplace.

    Empathy isn’t just a buzzword. It’s an actionable leadership quality, essential for creating inclusive cultures where every voice matters. Think about what happens when women lead with empathy: we actively listen, we validate our teams’ experiences, and we champion diverse perspectives. These are not abstract ideals. They are tangible practices that make people feel seen, respected, and safe enough to speak up.

    Let’s talk about psychological safety—a concept brought to the forefront by leaders like Amy Edmondson and discussed by voices such as Alex Bishop at the Women in Leadership Dinner in London. Psychological safety means that people can express themselves, take risks, and challenge ideas without fear of humiliation or backlash. When women lead with empathy, it’s not just about being nice. It’s about building environments where new ideas flourish because mistakes are treated as fuel for learning, not shame. Women often excel at this, thanks to strong emotional intelligence, active listening, and a collaborative approach rooted in real-world experience—navigating bias, breaking ceilings, and juggling countless roles along the way.

    So, as women leaders, how do we put this into daily practice?

    Start by making psychological safety an explicit priority. Talk about it with your team. Let them know this is non-negotiable in your leadership DNA. Facilitate open dialogue and encourage everyone to speak up. When someone challenges the status quo, respond with curiosity and respect, not dismissal.

    Next, create norms for handling failure. Celebrate experimentation; share your own stories of missteps and what you learned. Remind your team that perfection isn’t the goal—growth and innovation are. Establish clear processes for feedback, mentorship, and support, ensuring that no one is left isolated, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds.

    Another strategy: seek and amplify diverse perspectives. As a leader, make it a habit to ask quieter team members for their thoughts. Invite feedback, not just from the loudest voices, but from everyone. This signals that every idea is valuable.

    Empathy also means modeling vulnerability and authenticity. When you, as a woman leader, show up as your true self, it gives others permission to do the same. This dismantles barriers and builds trust across the board.

    Finally, advocate for structures that institutionalize psychological safety: flexible work policies, mentorship networks, and zero tolerance for bias and harassment. These are pathways to a workplace where everyone can focus on performing at their best, rather than protecting themselves.

    The discussion I want to open today: How have you, as a woman leader—or as someone supporting women in leadership—seen empathy transform your workplace? What strategies worked, and where are the challenges? Let’s keep sharing these stories, because every act of empathetic leadership brings us one step closer to cultures where psychological safety is not a privilege, but a shared standard.

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    4 分
  • Empowered by Empathy: Women Leaders Fostering Psychological Safety

    Empowered by Empathy: Women Leaders Fostering Psychological Safety
    2025/06/25
    This is your The Women's Leadership Podcast podcast.

    Welcome to The Women’s Leadership Podcast. Today, we’re diving right into one of the most powerful, yet often underestimated, strengths of women in leadership—leading with empathy, and how this fosters psychological safety within the workplace.

    Let’s be honest: empathy is the cornerstone of effective leadership. It’s not about being “soft” or coddling—it’s about connecting deeply, understanding challenges, and creating a space where every voice is valued. Women leaders, from Jacinda Ardern to trailblazers like Savitha Raghunathan at Red Hat, have shown us time and again that empathy is a superpower, not a liability. So, what sets empathetic women leaders apart?

    First, let’s talk about psychological safety. It’s that vital sense that you can speak up, ask questions, or even make a mistake without fearing a negative consequence. Alex Bishop nailed it at the Women in Leadership Dinner, saying, “psychological safety means creating an environment where everyone can be their true authentic selves in the workplace.” When women feel safe, they’re more likely to innovate, collaborate, and grow. But the reverse is also true—without psychological safety, women’s voices are lost, risks aren’t taken, and career progression stalls.

    What makes empathy such a driver for psychological safety? It starts with active listening. Women leaders often excel at truly hearing and understanding their teams, not just waiting for their turn to speak. That kind of listening helps uncover hidden challenges, whether it’s workload stress or the need for more flexible hours, and it makes people feel valued.

    Emotional intelligence, or EI, is another key ingredient. Savitha Raghunathan points out that being attuned to your own emotions—and those of your team—allows you to navigate even the toughest challenges with insight and compassion. This builds trust. And trust is the bedrock of psychological safety.

    Women leaders also tend to lead by example, setting a tone where patience, kindness, and understanding are the norm. They create inclusive environments where diverse perspectives are welcomed and celebrated, not just tolerated. This isn’t just good for morale—it’s good for innovation and business results.

    Empathy isn’t just about warm feelings. It’s about action. Whether it’s adjusting deadlines to reduce burnout, offering mental health support, or making flexibility the standard, empathetic leaders show that people matter as much as productivity.

    But, let’s address the tough realities: women leaders still face stereotypes, biases, and competing expectations—being told they’re too soft if they lead with empathy, or too cold if they don’t. Overcoming these barriers means organizations must commit to equity and build systems that support, rather than undermine, empathetic leadership.

    So, as we wrap this episode, here are a few discussion points for you and your teams: How can you, as a leader, practice active listening and emotional intelligence today? What actions can you take to make every member of your team feel safe and valued? How will you celebrate the strengths—and the superpower—of empathy in your own leadership journey?

    This is The Women’s Leadership Podcast: where compassion isn’t just encouraged, it’s the way forward.

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    4 分
  • Empathy: The Unsung Superpower of Women Leaders

    Empathy: The Unsung Superpower of Women Leaders
    2025/06/18
    This is your The Women's Leadership Podcast podcast.

    Welcome to The Women’s Leadership Podcast. Today, we’re diving right into a topic that sits at the very heart of transformational leadership: Leading with empathy, and how women leaders can foster real psychological safety in the workplace.

    Empathy isn’t just a buzzword or a soft skill to tack onto your resume—it’s a powerful leadership superpower. In fact, studies show that women consistently excel in emotional intelligence, particularly when it comes to building trust, understanding nuanced team dynamics, and navigating complex interpersonal situations. Take Savitha Raghunathan, Senior Software Engineer at Red Hat—she emphasizes that being truly attuned to your own emotions and those of your team creates an environment where trust and mutual respect flourish. When you’re aware of how emotions influence decisions and behavior, you’re better equipped to guide your team through challenges and inspire them to bring their best selves to work.

    But what does leading with empathy actually look like day to day? First, it means actively listening—not just waiting your turn to speak. When a team member shares a concern, empathetic leaders listen to understand, not to respond. By acknowledging and validating those feelings, you open the door for honest conversation. That’s the foundation of psychological safety—the knowledge that you can speak up without fear of ridicule or backlash.

    Another cornerstone is emotional intelligence. Women leaders are uniquely positioned to model this, demonstrating how to respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively. Emotional intelligence helps you offer constructive feedback, handle conflicts diplomatically, and see beyond surface issues to the root causes of workplace tensions.

    A truly empathetic leader also values open communication. Encouraging team members to share new ideas, concerns, and even dissenting opinions—without judgment—nourishes innovation and creativity. When people feel heard, they’re more willing to take the risks needed for growth.

    Think about leaders like Jacinda Ardern, former Prime Minister of New Zealand. She led her country through crises not just with strength, but with compassion—holding space for grief, uncertainty, and hope. Her approach wasn’t just about kindness, but about building a team and a nation where everyone felt safe enough to contribute.

    Empathy also means creating a supportive environment where well-being and growth come first. Women leaders are often especially attuned to the human side of work—mentoring, offering flexibility, and ensuring that the workplace welcomes diverse perspectives. By focusing on people-centered leadership, we can break down barriers and inspire teams to thrive.

    So, as you lead your teams or aspire to step into new leadership roles, ask yourself: How am I building psychological safety? Am I truly listening? Am I open to feedback and new ideas? These are not just personal development questions—they’re the keys to unlocking innovation, resilience, and long-term success.

    Leading with empathy isn’t just a strategy; it’s a commitment to lifting others as we rise. And that is the essence of true leadership.

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    3 分