LEADING BY EXAMPLE
B-CORP we ’ ve seen radical changes to the ways in which we approach work , manifested in new approaches like Work-From-Home or hybrid work arrangements , or even The Great Resignation and ‘ quiet quitting ’. This means today ’ s CEO needs to be a lot more tuned into his or her employees ’ needs and requirements . Empathy , therefore , is one of the most important tools in a modern leader ’ s toolkit .
Of course , balance is essential – business leaders can easily err on the side of caution when it comes to empathy and become too ‘ fluffy ’. True empathy is about seeing and understanding – and honesty . Saying to your people , “ I see you , I understand you ”. It ’ s about leaders being candid and giving permission to your people to be who they are , to say “ this is me ”. Ultimately , it ’ s about creating safe spaces for employees .
Another change is the general pace of a CEO ’ s work life . A common adage in business is that you shouldn ’ t ever sit still . If you stop , you ’ re dead . However , sometimes it is as important to slow down
LEADING BY EXAMPLE
Kelly Manthey led Kin + Carta ’ s
Americas business through the Great Resignation while still ensuring the company earned multiple accolades for Best Workplace , including Fast Company ’ s Best Workplaces for Innovators , Consulting Magazine ’ s Best Large Firms to Work For , and Fortune Magazine ’ s Best Places to Work .
She is a contributor to Forbes , founder of the Women in Technology forum at Kin + Carta and a member of the Board of Directors for both Skills for Chicagoland ’ s Future and Illinois Technology Association . She has also been named in The Consulting Report ’ s Top 25 Women Leaders in IT Services , Crain ’ s Chicago Business Tech 50 , and is an active advocate for inclusion , diversity , and raising the visibility of women in the technology sector .
“ Today ’ s CEO needs to be a lot more tuned into his or her employees ’ needs and requirements . Empathy , therefore , is one of the most important tools in a modern leader ’ s toolkit ”
KELLY MANTHEY CEO , KIN + CARTA sustainabilitymag . com 49