The Courageous Leaders Podcast

How to Balance Empathy & Accountability as a Leader

Joanna Howes Season 21 Episode 145

Finding the right balance between empathy and accountability is one of the biggest challenges leaders face. 

Lean too much into empathy, and performance drops. Focus too much on accountability, and you risk creating a culture of fear. 

In this episode, I break down how to master this balance so you can lead with both compassion and high standards.

We Cover:
00:35 – Why leaders struggle with this balance

01:15 – The importance of empathy & accountability

02:32 – The risks of leaning too far in one direction

03:05 – Setting clear expectations for your team

03:53 – Giving feedback without creating defensiveness

04:40 – Leading by example & holding yourself accountable

05:26 – Recognising both effort & results

05:59 – Using empathy as a tool for accountability

07:08 – Common mistakes leaders make & how to avoid them

08:03 – How to start applying this today

Don’t miss out on this powerful episode.

💬 Join the Conversation:
Register for our exclusive Leaders Connect Roundtables:
https://thechangecreators.com/leaders-connect/


👍 Stay inspired by joining our YouTube community! Click the link, hit the subscribe button, leave a comment, and never miss an episode. Your support helps us empower courageous leaders like you!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC2kZ-x8fDHKEVb222qpQ_NQ


🚀 Elevate Your Leadership:
Book a call for transformative leadership and team coaching:
Website: https://thechangecreators.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joannahowes/