Empathy Is Not Enough: Why Leadership Requires More Than Feeling

Empathy often functions as a comfort mechanism rather than a corrective force. It reassures the empathizer, signals “care,” and offers the appearance of ethical engagement. The result is a workplace culture where gestures of kindness are visible, but structural inequities remain hidden.

Organizational CultureTonesha SyllaJanuary 29, 2026empathy in leadership, ethical leadership, performative empathy, accountability in leadership, inclusive leadership, empathy vs accountability, empathic leadership, power-aware leadership