Empathetic Leadership In The Trades

What do you remember about your favourite bosses? Chances are, the lasting impressions you have are shaped by how they made you feel, more than the exact things they said; instances where they reacted with kindness, understanding and empathy. 

The way leaders in the trades manage their emotions and understand the emotions of others can significantly impact their business success and help avoid difficult situations along the way.  

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1. What is empathetic leadership?
2. How can empathetic leadership help my trade business?
3. Practical steps to introduce empathetic leadership into my trade business.

1. What is empathetic leadership? 

Exploring your emotional intelligence and developing empathetic leadership skills may seem better suited to a yoga studio than the rigours of a job site. However, the ability to understand the emotional needs of others, and being aware of their feelings and thoughts can have a practical impact on your business. To display empathetic leadership skills, first, you must show emotional intelligence. 

Emotional intelligence is generally said to include:

1. The ability to identify your emotions
2. The ability to apply emotions to tasks like thinking and problem-solving
3. The ability to manage emotions if necessary.

Empathic leadership is the ability to regulate your own emotions and respond with empathy and compassion to your colleagues. This could mean acknowledging the challenges your team faces, understanding their personal and professional pressures, and leading in a way that aligns with their needs and emotions.

2. How can empathetic leadership help my trade business?

Leadership

Empathic leaders are better equipped to handle the stresses and demands of the workplace and are more effective in leading diverse teams. A leader's ability to understand and manage their emotions and those of their team can lead to improved communication, better teamwork, and increased morale. This, in turn, can result in higher productivity, better quality of work, and reduced turnover.

Loyalty

When deciding between two employees with similar skill sets, are you more likely to go for the calm one or the volatile option? It’s the same for employees and apprentices deciding where to take their skills and where to stay. When employees feel understood and valued, they are more likely to be engaged and committed to their work. This can lead to higher levels of job satisfaction, reduced absenteeism, and increased loyalty. Additionally, people are more likely to go above and beyond for people they like. They’re more likely to be flexible when plans change and hold out when times get rough. With a global labour shortage, retaining talent isn’t solely about giving a competitive wage - with a wealth of opportunities available to skilled workers, maintaining a positive reputation for being a solid person to work for can only work in your favour.  

Honesty 

As a boss, you don’t need to be an employee's best friend or even know too much about their personal lives; however, having employees comfortable enough to admit to mistakes (or gaps in knowledge) can avoid much worse mistakes down the road. Fear, rather than being a motivator, is more likely to result in employees hiding problems or blaming others - rather than working together towards a solution. 

Harmony 

No matter if you’re a small team; one-on-one with an apprentice or managing a team of 10 on a construction site; there's a mix of skill sets, knowledge and personality types within every trade. Empathetic leadership plays a critical role in conflict resolution. Trade businesses often face unique challenges — tight deadlines, physically demanding work, and safety concerns. In this high-pressure environment, conflicts can easily arise.  An empathetic leader is better equipped to understand issues, meditate effectively, and find solutions that are acceptable to all parties involved.

3. Practical steps for introducing empathetic leadership into my trade business 

Transitioning to an empathetic leadership style in a trade business may require a shift in mindset: 

Emotional awareness

Develop your ability to recognise and understand your own emotions and those of your team members. This can involve self-reflection, mindfulness practices, and seeking feedback from others. Count yourself as a bit of a hothead? Take care of your own emotions; the “put on your own mask before helping others” theory works here. If you’re stressed and know you’re more likely to blow up or pass your mood on to someone else, take practical steps to calm down and reduce stress triggers. Options include; 

• Introducing job management software to reduce admin time.
• Creating a schedule that allows for exercise, relaxation, family time or regular walks.
• Passing on some of the workload. 
• Take a drive or physically remove yourself from the situation. 
• Use an "I" statement, where you show your perspective before assigning blame.  

Taking a single deep breath before responding could be the difference between a measured, mature response and a costly tantrum. 

Active listening

Prioritise listening to your team. This doesn't just mean hearing their words, but also understanding the emotions and intentions behind them. This can involve; 

• Regular team meetings
• One-on-one sessions
• An open-door, judgement-free policy.

Paying full attention to both the content and tone of your team members, while maintaining a non-judgmental attitude, is essential. Additionally, observing any shifts in their demeanour that might suggest they are struggling or feeling overwhelmed helps make them feel understood.

As business owners and leaders, it's easy to get caught up on your workload. Deliberately including time to check in with employees is important to add to your regular to-do list. You may even find opportunities to reduce your stresses and strengthen your employee's feeling of engagement. This can be as informal as taking a moment over morning coffee to ask if there is anything they want to discuss, jobs they are finding difficult or additional roles they want to take on. 

Flexibility and adaptability

Be willing to adapt your leadership style to suit the needs of different team members. This could mean adjusting communication methods, leadership approaches, and even work processes to better align with the diverse needs of your team. 

• Embrace the diversity of employees' experiences.
• Understand employees' social identities and perspectives.
• Show willingness to accept various viewpoints non-judgmentally.
• Acknowledge the challenge of knowing every employee and respecting each perspective.

Understanding personal situations

Recognise and respect the personal circumstances of your team members. This doesn't mean intruding into their private lives, but rather showing compassion and understanding for the challenges they may face outside of work.

• Engage in conversations to understand employees' motives.
• Use this understanding to enhance engagement, satisfaction, and retention.
• Recognise that compensation and benefits are part of a larger motivation equation.

Empathetic leadership, while often underrated in the trades, is a powerful tool for building a strong, cohesive, and high-performing team. By understanding and implementing the principles of emotional intelligence, trade business owners can create a work environment that not only values technical skills but also fosters emotional well-being and mutual respect.

For the best tool for your business 

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• Enquiries
• Quoting
• Invoicing
• Scheduling
• Job tracking
• Subcontractor management

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