Building empathetic managers with Loren Sanders

Building Empathetic Managers with Loren Sanders

Empathetic managers are the need of the hour as organizations are undergoing major changes including the introduction of AI into workflows and the threat it poses to jobs. As most employees figure things out with a fresh approach, they need a helping hand. But, for most of us, being empathetic at work is seen as a sign of weakness. Just think – what does a good manager look like? Even the hypothetical image is expected to be strong. In this podcast, Ashish is joined by Loren Sanders, the author of Empathy is Not a Weakness, to talk about the role that being empathetic can play for a manager. We dive deeper into:
  • What is empathy in the workplace, and what impact can it have on organizations?
  • How is the importance of empathy evolving in the workplace, especially given the increasing burnout, generational differences, and changes in work environments?
  • How can organizations train and support managers to be more empathetic, and what actions can they take to build an empathetic culture?

Loren Sanders is a leadership & development consultant with two decades of leadership experience in the HR and Talent Management space and more than half in the Fortune 4 and authored ‘Empathy is Not a Weakness and Other Stories from the Edge.’

Connect with Loren: LinkedIn

  • Empathy is crucial for a positive workplace culture. It is the ability to understand and share the perspectives of others, and involves recognizing their emotions, challenges, and perspectives. It’s an active skill that enhances communication, collaboration, and overall workplace culture.
  • Empathetic leadership combats burnout. Burnout is rising, and empathetic leadership is critical in mitigating exhaustion, anxiety, and disengagement by addressing the emotional and psychological needs of teams.
  • The next generation values empathy. The newer generation of workers places a strong emphasis on work-life balance and emotional well-being. They are more likely to stay with a company when treated with care and when their leaders listen to their concerns.
  • Trust is a cornerstone of empathy. When there is a lack of trust, empathy cannot exist in a relationship.
  • Empathetic managers listen first and focus on solutions. They listen to understand the emotions behind words, tailor their approach to individual needs, and provide feedback that is solution-oriented rather than punitive.
  • Empathy is a strategic advantage, not a soft skill. It improves productivity, business outcomes, and employee well-being.
  • Organizations should embed empathy into leadership development programs. Empathy should be a core competency that is integrated throughout leadership training. Additionally, organizations should provide empathy coaching and 360-degree feedback with an empathy lens.
  • Technology, especially AI, has a role in practicing empathy. Platforms can provide a safe space for managers to practice empathetic conversations and receive feedback

Ashish is an entrepreneur tackling workplace development challenges through Risely, an AI copilot that helps managers and leaders build essential people skills.

Drawing on his experience in technology and organizational behavior, he’s passionate about creating scalable solutions that transform how companies develop their talent. His mission is to empower leaders to build thriving teams and sustainable organizational success.

Connect: LinkedIn

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Future proofing a learning strategy for organizations with Inna Horvath

Future Proofing a Learning Strategy for Organizations with Inna Horvath

With the advent of AI, everyone’s anticipating changes. L&D leaders in charge of building a learning strategy for organizations are also looking forward to changes. But, most teams are stuck when it comes to really applying AI into their workflows, remaining limited to content creation at best. In this conversation with Inna, a learning strategist, Ashish explores the future of learning and development strategies, while primarily focusing on:
  • Are L&D teams effectively meeting the needs of end users in the current work environment, considering remote and hybrid work, generational diversity, and cross-functional collaboration?
  • What are the core areas where L&D teams should focus to bridge gaps in learning strategies, particularly when looking 5 to 10 years into the future?
  • How can technology, particularly AI, play a role in creating future-proof L&D strategies?

Inna Horvath is Learning Strategist at Elai x Panopto, has spearheaded diverse eLearning projects and guided the launch of online learning from scratch and currently focuses on crafting content and refining training strategies through integrating AI technologies to elevate and revolutionize the learning experience.

Connect with Inna: LinkedIn

  • The need for alignment between organizational goals and learners’ needs is crucial. There is work to do to ensure this alignment, especially with the rapid changes in the work environment.
  • Upskilling and reskilling are essential for the workforce. It’s predicted that 50% of the workforce will need to upskill or reskill by 2025, which requires a change in the approach to L&D strategy.
  • Personalized learning is key to effective learning. Generic training programs do not address the specific needs and challenges of individual learners, so technology and AI are needed to provide personalized learning experiences.
  • Learning should be integrated into the flow of work. Learning should be immediately applicable and accessible when needed, rather than being a separate activity with delayed application.
  • Technology, especially AI, can significantly enhance L&D. AI can assist with content creation, curation, data analysis, and evaluation, enabling L&D professionals to focus on strategic aspects. AI can also provide personalized learning paths and update courses more efficiently.
  • ROI in L&D is a critical consideration. It’s important to measure the tangible outcomes of learning initiatives, such as retention rates, performance metrics, and employee engagement scores. The learning must also be relevant to the current challenges of the learners.
  • The goal of adopting AI is not to replace humans, but to support them. AI should be seen as a thought partner to upgrade learning initiatives, allowing L&D professionals to do their jobs better and more efficiently
Technological advancements, particularly the integration of AI, significantly enhance L&D effectiveness in several key areas. In the conversation, Ashish and Inna primarily spoke about:
  • Content Creation and Curation: AI can aid in the creation and curation of learning content. Instead of relying on generic, lengthy materials, AI can help you generate more focused and relevant content. For instance, rather than a 10-page document, AI can pinpoint the specific page or section that addresses a learner’s immediate need. AI can also help update courses more efficiently.
  • Personalized Learning Paths: Technology, especially AI, lets you make personalized learning plans for the people on your team. AI can assess a learner’s profile, experience, and challenges to tailor learning journeys specific to their needs. This level of personalization is crucial because a generic training program cannot address the diverse needs of a large group of learners. For example, Risely’s AI coach for leadership, Merlin, can speak to hundreds of managers for their specific problems in a hyper-personalized way that would be hard to recreate with human coaches at scale.
  • Data Analysis and Evaluation: AI can process large amounts of data to provide insights into learning effectiveness. This data analysis can help L&D professionals understand what’s working and where improvements are needed. For instance, AI can analyze data to identify gaps in learning programs or highlight areas where learners struggle.
  • Learning in the Flow of Work: Technology facilitates learning within the flow of work, providing immediate access to relevant information. For instance, Inna speaks of QR codes next to tools can provide on-the-spot video tutorials. This approach ensures that learning is practical and applicable when needed, making it more effective.
  • Simulations and Interactive Learning: AI can create simulations and interactive learning experiences that allow learners to practice and apply their skills in a risk-free environment. This active approach, based on the principle of “learn by doing,” is more effective than passively consuming information.
  • Communication and Engagement: AI can help personalize communications with learners, such as scheduling messages and providing personalized learning paths. This approach makes learners feel supported and valued. By adopting marketing strategies, L&D teams can effectively communicate the value of learning programs

Ashish is an entrepreneur tackling workplace development challenges through Risely, an AI copilot that helps managers and leaders build essential people skills.

Drawing on his experience in technology and organizational behavior, he’s passionate about creating scalable solutions that transform how companies develop their talent. His mission is to empower leaders to build thriving teams and sustainable organizational success.

Connect: LinkedIn

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