Imagine a workplace where emotions are acknowledged, where leaders prioritize empathy and understanding.
This is the goal of Austin Johnson, Ph. D., a pioneering executive coach and clinical psychologist transforming business leaders’ lives with his approach to soft skills development. Johnson’s work signals a shift in how people understand and cultivate success in the modern workplace.
The Dangers of the “Non-Emotional Leader”
Johnson’s groundbreaking work sheds light on the consequences of suppressing emotions in the workplace. In his insightful article “The Non-Emotional Leader (And the Emotional Vacuum),” he describes the “non-emotional leader” as someone who maintains a stoic, unemotional demeanour and expects the same from their employees.
While this leadership style may seem effective in the short term, Johnson warns that it can create an “emotional vacuum” within the organization, where employees cannot express their emotions or concerns.
Suppressing emotions in the workplace can cause various negative consequences, including increased stress, decreased job satisfaction, and higher turnover rates. He argues that emotions are a natural and necessary part of the human experience and that attempting to eliminate them from the workplace is ultimately counterproductive.
Instead, he advocates for a more emotionally intelligent leadership tactic where leaders acknowledge and validate their employees’ emotions in a professional manner and channel that collective energy toward organizational goals.
Emotional Intelligence Is Key to Cultivating a Thriving Organizational Culture
The role of emotional intelligence in creating a positive and productive workplace culture is crucial. Johnson believes that leaders with high levels of emotional intelligence are better equipped to understand and manage their own emotions and those of their employees. This understanding allows them to create an environment where employees feel valued, supported, and motivated to perform at their best.
“Leaders forge emotional capital when they tend to the communal emotional experience rather than ignoring or trying to suppress it,” Johnson shares. This demonstrates the importance of taking the time to understand employees deeper than just their job responsibilities.
This allows leaders to identify potential issues before they escalate and provide the necessary support to help their employees thrive.
Bridging the Empathy Gap
Another key strategy Johnson advocates is bridging the empathy gap between leaders and their employees. For Johnson, this is a critical component of effective leadership. Executives who can put themselves in their employees’ shoes are better equipped to provide the support and guidance they need.
Focusing on helping leaders develop empathy skills through active listening, self-reflection, and perspective-taking encourages leaders to create opportunities for open and honest communication,
“When you quash emotions out of a psycho-phobic bias, you run the risk of killing the energy needed to accomplish your goals. When you realize that an energetic calm is a finely tuned emotional state, you open up your culture to new levels of synergy and productivity,” Johnson adds.
Furthermore, fostering a culture of understanding will enable founders to build better relationships with their employees and create a more cohesive and productive team while staying professional.
It’s worth noting for Johnson, being emotionally in tune does not mean that leaders have to be loud and demonstrative in expressing emotions. “A calm, professional demeanor is still the aim. It’s just important not to confuse this as a non-emotional state as is often done in corporate settings,” he shares.
Prioritizing Employee Well-Being and Job Satisfaction
Johnson’s approach to leadership goes beyond the traditional focus on the bottom line. He believes prioritizing employee well-being and job satisfaction is morally right and makes good business sense.
When employees feel valued, supported, and fulfilled in their work, they are more likely to be engaged, productive, and loyal to their organization.
“Company executives need to shift their mindset from seeing employees as mere resources to recognizing them as whole human beings,” Johnson shares. “When leaders invest in their staff’s well-being and create a supportive environment where staff can thrive, both personally and professionally, they can unlock their full potential.”
Considering this, supporting employees in all aspects of their lives can surely lead to better outcomes for both the individual and the organization.
Photo courtesy of Derek Harrell
How Emotionally Intelligent Leaders Validate and Support Their Teams
Emotionally intelligent leaders understand the importance of supporting their teams. They recognize that their employees are human beings with complex emotions and needs, and they take the time to listen and respond with empathy and understanding.
According to Johnson, chief executive officers (CEOs) can follow practical strategies to demonstrate their support, such as regularly checking in with employees, providing opportunities for professional development and growth, and celebrating successes and milestones.
He also emphasizes the importance of creating a psychologically safe environment where employees feel comfortable sharing their ideas, concerns, and feedback without fear of negative consequences.
Johnson’s Holistic Approach to Nurturing Soft Skills
Recognizing that developing emotional intelligence and empathy is not a one-time event but an ongoing process requiring commitment and practice, Johnson designs workshops and training programs to help leaders and teams develop their soft skills.
These programs cover active listening, conflict resolution, stress management, and building resilience. This comprehensive perspective on soft skills development will empower organizations.
The Importance of Creating an Emotionally Supportive Workplace
Ultimately, Johnson’s vision for transforming the workplace centres on creating an emotionally supportive environment where employees can grow. He believes that when leaders know the importance of the emotional well-being of their employees, they create a ripple effect that benefits the entire organization.
As the business world continues to change daily, the importance of soft skills and emotional intelligence in leadership will grow. Austin Johnson’s quest for transforming the workplace through a focus on these critical skills provides a roadmap for leaders looking to create more fulfilling work environments.
When organizations embrace soft skills instead of looking down on them, they can thrive in the face of challenges and opportunities. “It’s time to stop seeing soft skills as a minor detail and start recognizing them as the key to unlocking our full potential – both as individuals and as organizations,” he concludes.
