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133 | Empathy: The Missing Ingredient in Leadership | Keith Barry

Building Better Cultures

Release Date: 05/15/2025

BBC Best Bits | Ep 2 | Empathy Isn't Soft show art BBC Best Bits | Ep 2 | Empathy Isn't Soft

Building Better Cultures

Empathy Isn't Soft  When did you last ask someone how they actually were, and really listen? Everyone says empathy matters. Nobody actually teaches it. In this best-bits episode of Building Better Cultures, Scott McInnes goes back to two conversations about why that needs to change: Rob Volpe (EP092) on empathy as a practical leadership tool, and Niamh Fitzpatrick (EP084) on the emotional aftermath of the pandemic. Rob Volpe starts by taking apart the definition most of us use. Walking in someone else's shoes is only half the job, and the half everyone skips is taking your own shoes off...

info_outline BBC Best Bits | Ep 2 | Tell Me a Story show art BBC Best Bits | Ep 2 | Tell Me a Story

Building Better Cultures

Data convinces. Stories move people. So why do we still lead with the spreadsheet? In this best-bits episode of Building Better Cultures, Scott McInnes goes back to two conversations about the power of narrative at work: Richard Newman (EP108) on the neuroscience of emotional engagement, and Alison Esse (EP012) on purpose-led storytelling at scale. Richard Newman explains what actually happens in the brain when you open with a chart instead of a story. Spreadsheets speak to the logical mind, but the emotional brain decides first and it decides whether anything gets through at all. He walks...

info_outline BBC Best Bits | Ep 1 | Lessons from the Locker Room. show art BBC Best Bits | Ep 1 | Lessons from the Locker Room.

Building Better Cultures

Lessons from the Locker Room (BBC Best Bits Ep1) What do a rugby coach, a rugby captain and an RAF pilot have in common? Turns out, they all know quite a lot about leadership. In our first 'Best Bits' episode, Scott McInnes revisits three standout conversations with leaders who've performed under real pressure: Stuart Lancaster, Jamie Heaslip and Peter Docker. Stuart Lancaster explains why psychological safety and mutual trust sit at the heart of every high-performance culture, and why great leadership is built on relationships, not titles. Jamie Heaslip takes on vulnerability, the most...

info_outline 156 | Inside Disconnection at Work: Bridging the Connection Gap Report | Scott McInnes & Sadhbh O’Flaherty show art 156 | Inside Disconnection at Work: Bridging the Connection Gap Report | Scott McInnes & Sadhbh O’Flaherty

Building Better Cultures

In this episode, Scott McInnes is joined once again by Inspiring Change’s Sadhbh O'Flaherty to dig into their latest research, Bridging the Connection Gap. Building on last year's Mind the Gap study, where CPOs and CEOs identified disconnection as one of the top barriers to a strong, aligned culture, Scott and Sadhbh went deeper, speaking one-on-one with senior leaders to understand what's really getting in the way of human connection at work today.  Six clear themes emerged from those conversations: busyness, hybrid working,...

info_outline 155 | The Overlooked Art of Building Connection at Work | Scott McInnes with Christine Armstrong show art 155 | The Overlooked Art of Building Connection at Work | Scott McInnes with Christine Armstrong

Building Better Cultures

In this week’s episode, Scott McInnes sits down with Christine Armstrong, to dive deep into the critical importance of connection in the workplace. Together they explore how workplace trends have eroded relationships and the role of intentionality in creating a thriving organisational culture.  Christine offers practical strategies to rebuild trust at work and really nurture those vital human connections.    Key Takeaways:  Connection is a deliberate act, not a happy accident  Hierarchical and operational...

info_outline 154 | Why Leaders Still Struggle to Foster Psychological Safety | Scott McInnes with Minette Norman & Karolin Helbig show art 154 | Why Leaders Still Struggle to Foster Psychological Safety | Scott McInnes with Minette Norman & Karolin Helbig

Building Better Cultures

In this week’s episode, Scott is joined by authors Minette Norman and Karolin Helbig as they delve into practical strategies for fostering trust, vulnerability, and inclusion in organisations, and explore the nuances of psychological safety. This episode reveals how small changes can lead to profound shifts in workplace culture. In this episode, you’ll discover: ·       The definition and emotional experience of psychological safety ·       The importance of vulnerability and courageous communication for leaders ...

info_outline 153 | Neurodiversity Recognition at Work | Scott McInnes & Alan Stracey show art 153 | Neurodiversity Recognition at Work | Scott McInnes & Alan Stracey

Building Better Cultures

In this episode of Building Better Cultures, Scott McInnes talks to Alan Stracey, a certified ADHD Coach and Founder of WhereFocusGoes, to explore the nuanced world of neurodiversity. They discuss how understanding and accommodating neurodivergent conditions can transform workplace culture and unlock individual potential.  In this episode, you’ll discover:  What is neurodiversity and how do neurodiverse conditions manifest?  The importance of language and perception around neurodiversity in workplaces  ...

info_outline 152 | Embracing AI with Humanity | Scott McInnes & Wema Hoover show art 152 | Embracing AI with Humanity | Scott McInnes & Wema Hoover

Building Better Cultures

In this episode, Scott McInnes welcomes Wema Hoover, founder of Be Limitless Consulting, to explore the impact of AI on leadership, culture, and work. They discuss how organisations can leverage AI while maintaining a human-centered approach, fostering innovation, and managing change across generations.  In this episode, you’ll discover:  The rapid evolution of AI and its influence on the workplace over the past 15 months  Strategies for integrating AI responsibly through clear guardrails and...

info_outline 151 | Building Employee Loyalty That Lasts | Scott McInnes & Stephen Baer show art 151 | Building Employee Loyalty That Lasts | Scott McInnes & Stephen Baer

Building Better Cultures

In this week’s episode, host Scott McInnes has an insightful conversation with Stephen Baer, founder of Engagency, as they explore the core principles behind building resilient organisational cultures that thrive on trust, purpose, and people-centered leadership.    In this episode, you’ll learn:  The true drivers of employee engagement and retention  The role of middle management in fostering a culture of trust  Strategies to communicate purpose and strategy effectively  ...

info_outline 150 | Mastering the Readiness Gap | Scott McInnes, Sadhbh O’Flaherty & Maddison Grigsby show art 150 | Mastering the Readiness Gap | Scott McInnes, Sadhbh O’Flaherty & Maddison Grigsby

Building Better Cultures

In this special bonus episode, Scott McInnes and his colleague Sadhbh O’Flaherty are joined by Communications Consultant at Gallagher, Maddison Grigsby, to explore the latest insights from the 'State of the Sector' report on internal communications, focusing on the readiness gap, strategic alignment, and human-centric communication.  Maddison shares expert advice on improving manager effectiveness, change management, and leveraging AI for better engagement.    Key Takeaways:  The evolution of internal...

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Summary 

In this engaging conversation, the speakers delve into the importance of non-verbal communication in leadership, the journey of a brain hacker, the power of subconscious storytelling, the role of empathy in communication, and the science behind influence through mirroring and rapport. They emphasize that effective leadership requires understanding and harnessing these elements to create a positive organizational culture. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the intricacies of influence, decision-making, resilience, and leadership. They explore how to effectively negotiate by understanding body language and the importance of gut instincts in decision-making. The discussion also emphasizes the need for mental resilience through acceptance and positivity, especially in challenging times. Finally, the speakers highlight the significance of authenticity in leadership, advocating for genuine connections with team members. 

 

Takeaways 

  • 99.9999% of leaders leave communication skills on the table. 

  • Leadership is a mindset, not a position. 

  • Cultural leadership involves leading teams effectively. 

  • Subconscious behaviors drive our actions and decisions. 

  • Storytelling is crucial for effective communication. 

  • Empathy is essential in today's volatile world. 

  • Tactical empathy can enhance leadership effectiveness. 

  • Understanding non-verbal communication is vital for leaders. 

  • Influence is built on trust and rapport. 

  • Effective storytelling involves hooks, tension, and payoffs. Influence can be achieved through understanding and mirroring body language. 

  • Trusting your gut instinct can lead to better decision-making. 

  • Life is messy, and accepting that can lead to personal growth. 

 

Chapters 

  • 00:00 Unlocking Non-Verbal Communication in Leadership 

  • 05:07 The Journey of a Brain Hacker 

  • 09:49 The Power of Subconscious Storytelling 

  • 14:59 Empathy and Communication in Leadership 

  • 20:01 Influence Through Mirroring and Rapport 

  • 21:30 The Art of Influence and Negotiation 

  • 23:12 Trusting Your Gut: The Role of Instinct in Decision-Making 

  • 28:42 Building an Unbreakable Mind: Acceptance and Positivity 

  • 37:53 Authenticity in Leadership: The Key to Connection