Emotional Intelligence In Leadership: Why Empathy Wins Where Strategy Falls Short

Donald Thompson, CEO of The Diversity Movement (a Workplace Options company), was recently featured in HR Excellence Magazine.

Empathetic leaders don’t just inspire loyalty—they fuel engagement, innovation, and stronger team performance. By listening actively, recognizing contributions, and addressing concerns, leaders can create cultures where people thrive.

Ignoring empathy, however, comes at a high cost. Disengaged employees are more likely to leave, underperform, or withdraw effort—an issue that Gallup estimates costs the global economy $9.6 trillion each year. The stakes rise even higher during times of change, when uncertainty and stress can erode collaboration and productivity.

For HR and business leaders, the takeaway is clear: investing in emotional intelligence and embedding empathy into leadership culture isn’t optional—it’s a business imperative.

Read the full article here.