Why Empathetic Leadership Drives Business Growth
- Sacha G
- Mar 28
- 4 min read
Here's something I've learned the hard way: the way you lead matters just as much as what you deliver. After years in digital marketing—building teams across continents, weathering uncertainty, and adapting through constant change—I'm more convinced of this than ever.
During my time at Meta, one thing became crystal clear. What we work on will always shift—new campaigns, changing priorities, reshuffled org charts. But how we lead and support the people around us? That leaves a lasting imprint.
Let me be direct: empathy isn't some soft, nice-to-have skill. It's strategic. And honestly? It's one of the most underrated drivers of business growth I've seen.
Empathy Builds High-Trust Teams
When I first stepped into my role at Meta, I inherited a team scattered across time zones, cultures, and working styles. We were navigating layoffs, reorgs, and new leadership—all while trying to hit our goals. Talk about baptism by fire.
The first thing I zeroed in on wasn't metrics—it was connection. I carved out time for regular 1:1s, created frameworks that made planning simpler, and always left room for personal check-ins. I asked questions like:
"What parts of your work light you up?"
"Where do you want to grow next?"
"What's getting in your way right now?"
I wasn't trying to micromanage—I wanted people to know they mattered beyond their output. And you know what happens when people feel truly seen and safe? They bring their whole selves. They challenge ideas. They come with solutions, not just problems. They care.
Our team's engagement score stayed above 90% during one of the rockiest years we'd faced. That wasn't some fluke—it was empathy, structure, and trust doing their thing.
I brought this same playbook to Wella. One of my first moves was introducing a "getting to know you" document. It wasn't your typical onboarding paperwork—it helped me understand my team as actual humans, not just job titles. We covered how they like to collaborate, what energizes them, how they prefer recognition, what work makes them proud, and what drains their batteries. It also surfaced challenges they were dealing with, professionally and personally. That simple document sparked conversations that built genuine connection from day one.
At Meta, I introduced personality assessments such as the MBTI to enhance our team-building efforts. These tests revealed our unique strengths, communication styles, and approaches to handling conflict or feedback. The goal wasn't to categorize people, but to improve collaboration and leverage our strengths.
Empathy Creates Clarity When Everything's Fuzzy
The faster things move, the more people crave clarity. And in environments where priorities shift every five minutes (I'm looking at you, Meta), it's easy to feel lost or constantly reactive.
I discovered that being empathetic didn't mean shielding my team from change—it meant helping them process it. When changes hit, I was straight-up honest. I shared what I knew, admitted what I didn't, and outlined what I was doing to create structure amid chaos.
We implemented goal-setting frameworks that connected individual work to the bigger company priorities. I created templates, roadmaps, and team rituals that gave people a sense of control even when everything seemed to be shifting.
That clarity became a superpower. Teams felt confident making decisions because they understood the bigger picture—and they knew I had their backs.
Empathy Builds Long-Term Growth, Not Just Quick Wins
I've watched leaders push relentlessly for short-term performance while their team culture crumbled. I've seen that movie—it doesn't end well. Burnout. Turnover. Disconnection.
Importance of Leading by Example
Leading by example is crucial in fostering a positive workplace culture. When managers demonstrate the behaviors and values they expect from their team, it creates a strong foundation of trust and respect. This approach encourages employees to align their actions with the company's goals and standards.
Empathetic Leadership
Empathetic leadership is essential for creating a supportive work environment. It involves understanding and addressing the needs and emotions of team members, fostering a sense of belonging and motivation. I've had the pleasure of witnessing this at both L'Oreal and Meta, where leaders prioritize empathy in their management style.
Key Points about Empathetic Leadership
Empathy does not equate to lowering expectations; rather, it enhances performance by providing the necessary support.
Creating a culture of empathy encourages employees to engage fully and strive for excellence.
Leaders who show empathy can better understand the challenges their team faces, leading to more effective problem-solving.
Empathetic leadership helps in building strong relationships, which can lead to increased loyalty and retention.
Final Thoughts
I'll say it again: empathy is a growth strategy.
It drives alignment when priorities compete. It fuels engagement when motivation could flag.
It sparks creativity when challenges seem insurmountable. And it builds resilience when change hits (which it always will).
Whether you're leading a tiny startup team or managing hundreds, don't underestimate the power of truly listening, genuinely caring, and showing up with intention.
Because when people feel seen, they show up differently. And when they show up differently, both the work and the business transform.
I've seen it happen. I've made it happen. And I'm betting on empathy every time.
