An Interview With Cynthia Corsetti
Empathy plays a crucial role in gaining the buy-in of your team for the company’s vision and direction. Leading with empathy ensures that decisions are values-driven, fostering a shared commitment among team members to the overall goals and direction of the company.
Empathy, the ability to understand and share the feelings of another, is increasingly recognized as a pivotal leadership trait. In an ever-evolving business landscape, leaders who exhibit genuine empathy are better equipped to connect, inspire, and drive their teams towards success. But how exactly does empathy shape leadership dynamics? How can it be harnessed to foster stronger relationships, improved decision-making, and a more inclusive work environment? As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Jessie Huebner.
Jessie Huebner LMHC, CEDS-C, QS is the CEO and founder of Restored Purpose Counseling Services, a distinguished group practice offering comprehensive nutrition, therapy, and eating disorder services across multiple locations in Florida. Serving clients of all genders aged 12 and up, Jessie holds a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. She is a licensed Mental Health Counselor in both Florida and New Jersey, a Certified Eating Disorder Specialist Consultant (CEDS-C), and a trained EMDR therapist.
With a wealth of experience, Jessie has worked across various levels of care, from residential and PHP to IOP, taking on roles ranging from therapist to clinical director. Remarkably, she has successfully grown her practice into a nearly 7-figure business in less than five years.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion about empathy, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path?
Absolutely! As a clinician with firsthand experience of overcoming an eating disorder, I am deeply passionate about creating a supportive space for others to embark on their healing journey. Motivated by my own recovery, I pursued a degree to become a mental health therapist and dedicated myself to working in diverse settings. This journey allowed me to not only grow as a clinician but also develop leadership skills and a profound understanding of the business side of mental health.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
Throughout my career in the mental health field, I’ve encountered a myriad of captivating stories. One of the most fascinating aspects has been the diverse array of clients I’ve had the privilege to work with. The rich tapestry of backgrounds, cultures, and personalities has provided me with a profound opportunity to immerse myself in various experiences. Assisting and connecting with different families has been particularly rewarding, making it the standout aspect of my professional journey.
Another compelling dimension of my career lies in the diverse individuals I’ve collaborated with across different levels of care and various locations across the United States. The breadth of experiences, coupled with the unique challenges presented in different placements, has added an enriching layer to my professional odyssey.
What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?
What sets our counseling services apart is the unwavering commitment to our core values, which seamlessly manifest in our interactions with clients. We take pride in being deeply rooted in the community, placing a premium on growth, and prioritizing the delivery of high-quality care. Our distinctiveness as a company lies in our relentless pursuit of knowledge and constant evolution. We actively engage in ongoing learning, staying abreast of the latest evidence-based treatments and research to ensure our clients receive the best possible care.
A key aspect that distinguishes us is our emphasis on fostering collaborative relationships. We recognize the significance of creating a safe and inclusive space where individuals can embark on their healing journey. This commitment extends not only to our clients but also internally within our team. We take great care in cultivating a supportive and inclusive environment, nurturing a culture of growth and healing for everyone involved.
You are a successful business leader. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
Several traits have played a pivotal role in shaping the success I’ve achieved as a business leader. Among these, three stand out prominently: determination, endurance, and wisdom. These qualities have proven instrumental in navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship and steering my company to success.
Determination, characterized by unwavering resolve and grit, has been essential in the journey of creating and building a business. It encompasses the endurance required to lead a company, facing both the triumphs and tribulations. This resilience is exemplified through the long hours invested in laying the foundation of the business, overcoming unexpected challenges, and continuously refining systems as the company grows.
Wisdom and discernment have been crucial factors in the decision-making process. For instance, the contemplation of whether to expand with an additional location required careful consideration of its impact on the business from all angles. The ability to make wise decisions, even when faced with tough choices, has been a key contributor to our success. An illustrative example is the decision not to pursue an additional location when it wasn’t deemed strategically wise at that particular moment.
In essence, the combination of determination, endurance, and wisdom, coupled with a strong work ethic, has been the driving force behind my achievements as a business leader. It’s about facing challenges head-on, putting in the hard work, and making informed decisions that contribute to the sustained growth and success of the company.
Leadership often entails making difficult decisions or hard choices between two apparently good paths. Can you share a story with us about a hard decision or choice you had to make as a leader? I’m curious to understand how these challenges have shaped your leadership.
As a leader, I often find myself confronted with challenging decisions that require a thoughtful balance between short-term difficulties and the long-term well-being of the company. One recurring theme is the necessity to make choices that align with the overarching vision and values, even if it means passing up on seemingly excellent opportunities.
For instance, in the hiring process, it’s not merely about the qualifications on a resume but also about cultural alignment. I’ve encountered situations where a candidate possessed impressive credentials, yet their values didn’t resonate with the company culture. Making the tough decision to refrain from hiring such individuals becomes imperative to safeguard the cohesive work culture meticulously cultivated within the team.
Similarly, addressing mismatches in existing team dynamics is another facet of leadership. Making the decision to part ways with an employee, even if they were initially hired, becomes crucial to preserve the overall well-being of the company. These decisions are not taken lightly, but they are undertaken with the broader picture in mind.
Moreover, leadership involves engaging in courageous conversations to bring about necessary shifts in patterns. This coaching and support, though challenging, contribute to the growth and improvement of both individuals and the organization as a whole.
Financial decisions also pose a set of challenges. While there might be a desire to provide certain benefits or higher pay rates, the reality of the company’s current financial standing can limit these possibilities. Striking a balance between aspirations and financial viability requires making decisions that ensure the company’s sustainability without compromising its integrity.
In essence, leadership entails making difficult decisions that serve the greater good of the company, whether it involves hiring, team dynamics, coaching conversations, or financial considerations. It’s a delicate balance that requires foresight and a commitment to long-term success.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview. Let’s begin with a basic definition so that all of us are on the same page. How do you define empathy in a leadership context, and why do you believe it’s a vital trait for leaders to possess in today’s work environment?
Empathy is an indispensable quality in leadership, crucial for fostering positive team dynamics and creating a supportive work environment. In the context of leadership, I define empathy as the ability to truly understand and connect with the experiences of your team members. It involves placing oneself in their shoes, contemplating what it’s like to be on the receiving end of your leadership, and considering how you come across.
A key aspect of empathetic leadership is demonstrating genuine care for your team members as individuals. This manifests not only in the way you communicate but also in how you inquire about their well-being. It’s essential to consistently show empathy through your actions, ensuring that your team feels valued and understood.
While knowledge and expertise are undoubtedly important for effective leadership, the saying holds true: people remember how you made them feel. It emphasizes that the emotional impact of leadership often surpasses the significance of one’s knowledge. Even if you possess a wealth of knowledge, if you fail to make your team feel seen and heard, that emotional resonance will be what lingers in their memory.
In essence, empathetic leadership goes beyond the mere transmission of information; it’s about creating an atmosphere where individuals feel acknowledged, respected, and supported. People are more likely to remember the positive emotions associated with your leadership rather than the sheer extent of your knowledge.
Can you share a personal experience where showing empathy as a leader significantly impacted a situation or relationship in your organization?
In my experience leading an organization, I found that engaging in courageous conversations and building a strong team culture required creating a foundation based on empathy. It wasn’t just about asking empathetic questions; it involved embodying empathy in my actions and communication.
By genuinely connecting with my team members through heartfelt questions and consistently demonstrating empathy in my leadership style, I was able to steer the team culture away from a neutral work environment towards a positive and healthy atmosphere. This highlights the significant impact that empathetic leadership can have on shaping the dynamics within a team.
My approach, pouring extra energy into understanding and supporting my team, serves as a testament to the lasting effects of leading with empathy and heart. It reinforces the notion that empathetic leadership is not merely a superficial gesture but a transformative force that can contribute to a positive work culture and enhance the overall well-being of the team.
In essence, my experience emphasizes that leadership driven by empathy, genuine care, and heartfelt communication has the potential to create a workplace where individuals feel valued, heard, and motivated — a crucial foundation for a thriving and harmonious team culture.
How do empathetic leaders strike a balance between understanding their team’s feelings and making tough decisions that might not be universally popular?
Navigating the balance between considering my team’s feelings and making tough decisions has always been a challenging aspect of leadership. It’s a delicate act where I must acknowledge and empathize with my team’s emotions while still recognizing the necessity of difficult choices and engaging in courageous conversations.
Maintaining this equilibrium is crucial because allowing emotions to solely drive decisions may jeopardize the growth and health of the company. As a business owner and leader, decisions must be made with a blend of both heart and mind — the emotional understanding of the team’s perspective and the wisdom required for the strategic well-being of the company.
The key lies in the delivery of these hard decisions. While they are vital for the company’s sustainability and progress, how they are communicated can profoundly impact how they are received by the team. It involves presenting decisions with empathy, transparency, and a clear rationale, ensuring that the team understands the broader context and the necessity behind those choices.
In essence, finding the balance means recognizing the importance of both emotional intelligence and strategic thinking in leadership. It’s about making decisions that are essential for the company’s growth while still valuing and acknowledging the emotions of the team. This approach fosters a culture of transparency and understanding, even in the face of challenging decisions.
How would you differentiate between empathy and sympathy in leadership? Why is it important for leaders to distinguish between the two?
Sympathy often involves feeling sorry or pity for someone, and if leadership decisions are driven by sympathy, they may be inclined towards a more paternalistic or pity-driven approach. On the other hand, empathy in leadership means relating to how others are feeling and taking those emotions into consideration.
When leading with empathy, it involves not only understanding but also acknowledging and considering the emotions of the team. It goes beyond a mere expression of sorrow or pity. Instead, it involves actively putting oneself in the shoes of others and recognizing their feelings. In this approach, leadership decisions are made with a genuine understanding of how those decisions might impact the team emotionally.
The way messages are delivered, both nonverbally and verbally, plays a significant role. Empathy in leadership is reflected in nonverbal and verbal cues that convey an understanding of how it must feel to be on the receiving end of decisions. It’s about creating a connection and showing support rather than expressing mere sympathy.
For instance, if someone had a rough day, an empathetic leader would sit down and express understanding, saying, “I can imagine how you feel. What can I do to support you today?” This contrasts with a sympathetic response that might be limited to expressing sorrow or pity without actively seeking to understand and address the person’s needs.
In essence, the distinction is crucial for leaders to navigate interactions effectively, fostering a culture of genuine understanding, support, and empathy within the team.
What are some practical strategies or exercises that leaders can employ to cultivate and enhance their empathetic skills?
There are some excellent practical strategies for leaders to cultivate and enhance their empathetic skills. Slowing down and taking the time to ask what it’s like to be on the other side of you is a powerful way to gain insight into how your leadership is perceived. Additionally, asking about your team’s well-being on a personal level and incorporating empathetic language into everyday communication can indeed speak volumes and foster a sense of trust.
Now, regarding empathy in navigating the complexities of leading diverse teams and ensuring inclusivity, it is indeed a vital component of effective leadership. Leaders must acknowledge and be sensitive to the diverse cultures within their teams. Learning from others, whether through direct conversations or educational initiatives, is essential to understanding different perspectives.
Empathy also plays a key role in making decisions that contribute to inclusivity. It involves ensuring that actions align with empathetic statements. This alignment can be observed in various aspects of leadership, from the way meetings are conducted to how positions are created and promotions are considered. Creating spaces that are genuinely inclusive and where everyone feels seen and heard is a tangible demonstration of empathetic leadership.
In essence, empathy helps leaders bridge the gaps in understanding, foster a culture of inclusivity, and ensure that decisions and actions genuinely reflect the values of empathy and understanding. It’s about actively engaging with diverse perspectives, learning from others, and translating empathetic sentiments into tangible practices that promote a truly inclusive environment.
What’s your approach to ensuring that succession planning is a holistic process, and not just confined to the top layers of management? How do you communicate this philosophy through the organization?
In building a comprehensive succession plan for a small business, my approach goes beyond focusing solely on top management layers. I believe in identifying and nurturing talent at all levels within the organization to ensure a well-rounded process. Succession planning should encompass various roles, recognizing potential contributors throughout the business.
To communicate this philosophy in a small business setting, transparency and inclusivity remain key. I regularly engage with team members at different levels, highlighting the importance of career development and growth opportunities for everyone. Through mentorship programs, skill-building initiatives, and open communication channels, I aim to create a culture where every individual feels valued and can envision a clear path for advancement within the small business context. This approach ensures that succession planning is a shared and inclusive effort, demonstrating the organization’s commitment to recognizing and developing talent at every level of the business.
Based on your experience and research, can you please share “5 Ways Empathy Will Affect Your Leadership”?
- Empathy positively influences your leadership by enhancing the relationships you build with your team. The trust that develops when your team recognizes your empathetic approach contributes to a more harmonious and cooperative work environment.
- Empathy plays a crucial role in gaining the buy-in of your team for the company’s vision and direction. Leading with empathy ensures that decisions are values-driven, fostering a shared commitment among team members to the overall goals and direction of the company.
- Demonstrating empathy in your leadership showcases a genuine care for people, creating an environment where individuals are motivated to work collaboratively and contribute to the company’s growth. This transforms the workplace culture from a sense of obligation (“I have to”) to a more positive and enthusiastic perspective (“I get to”).
- Empathy facilitates conversations that might otherwise not occur. An empathetic leadership style makes you more approachable, and people feel that you genuinely care about them. This approach encourages open communication and a willingness to address issues that may arise.
- The impact of empathy extends beyond the workplace into the broader community. Leading with empathy positions you as a leader who cares not only about the success of the business but also about the community, city, or region in which you operate. This approach fosters meaningful relationships and influences effective communication in various settings outside the business realm.
In summary, empathy in leadership contributes to positive relationships, team buy-in, a caring work environment, open communication, and a positive impact on the broader community. It shapes a leader who is not only effective within the business but also in building connections and making a difference beyond the organizational boundaries.
Are there potential pitfalls or challenges associated with being an empathetic leader? How can these be addressed?
Potential pitfalls or challenges arise when leaders lean too heavily into empathy, struggling with difficult decisions and courageous conversations. There’s a risk of being perceived as overly soft, allowing team members to exploit a perceived leniency. Striking a balance between empathy and wise guidance is crucial.
Leaders need to reflect on whether they consistently lead from an emotional standpoint or if they effectively integrate rational thinking and wisdom into their decisions. Achieving this balance ensures that empathy enhances rather than hinders leadership effectiveness.
Seeking leadership coaching or consulting is a proactive measure. This involves continuous assessment and adjustment of leadership styles, gaining insights into potential blind spots, and refining approaches to be both empathetic and strategically sound. It’s an ongoing process of self-reflection to evolve as a well-rounded and impactful leader.
Off-topic, but I’m curious. As someone steering the ship, what thoughts or concerns often keep you awake at night? How do those thoughts influence your daily decision-making process?
Navigating the multitude of daily decisions can be quite a challenge, and various thoughts may pop into my mind depending on the circumstances. Questions might range from assessing whether I’ve completed tasks and responded to communications effectively to ensuring that conversations and marketing efforts are contributing to the company’s success. There’s a constant consideration of the financial state of the company and how it impacts the team’s financial security.
One thing that occasionally keeps me up at night, or at least pops into my mind during those late hours, is the concern about whether enough has been done to ensure the company’s growth and success. However, I’ve found that a helpful personal strategy is to avoid making significant decisions in haste. Taking the time to thoroughly think through decisions with long-term impacts before making a choice has proven beneficial.
I also recognize the importance of a good night’s sleep in maintaining high-quality decision-making skills. When faced with thoughts that might be stressful, a well-rested mind is better equipped to address them. These considerations, both strategic thinking and self-care, play a crucial role in propelling me forward, ensuring that concerns are addressed and actions are taken to promote the company’s growth.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
If I were to initiate a movement, it would center on fostering a culture where individuals believe in the best in others and actively support one another’s dreams and endeavors. The aim would be to cultivate a positive and uplifting environment for the next generation, steering away from the negative aspects of cancel culture that are prevalent in today’s society. This movement would encourage empathy, understanding, and collective encouragement, creating a space where people can thrive and pursue their aspirations without fear of judgment or cancellation.
How can our readers further follow you online?
I tend to hang out on Instagram more frequently. You can follow me at @jess_huebner or you can follow my group practice at @restorepurpose on Instagram. My websites are www.jessiehuebner.com or www.myrestoredpurpose.com.
Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
Jessie Huebner Of Restored Purpose Counseling: 5 Ways Empathy Will Affect Your Leadership was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.