Why Most Leaders Get Empathy Wrong | Dr. Melissa

Summary In this episode, Dr. Melissa explores what empathy in leadership really means—and how most leaders are using it the wrong way. She and Anthony unpack the myths around “feeling what others feel,” the dangers of empathy fatigue, and why leaders need to balance compassion with accountability. Melissa introduces the three core types of empathy—emotional, cognitive, and self empathy—and explains how applying them correctly can prevent burnout, build stronger teams, and keep organizations profitable. This conversation is packed with practical insights for leaders who want to lead with both heart and results. Special Guest Dr. Melissa is the author of The Empathic Leader: How EQ via Empathy Transforms Leadership for Better Profit, Productivity, and Innovation. A leadership coach and expert in emotional intelligence, she helps executives and organizations use empathy effectively without falling into toxic or performative patterns. Through her company, EQvia, she offers workshops, coaching, and training designed to transform leadership cultures into environments of connection, accountability, and growth. Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction to Empathy in Leadership 02:15 - Defining Empathy: More Than Just Feelings 05:30 - The Three Types of Empathy 08:45 - Self-Empathy: The Foundation of Effective Leadership 12:10 - Balancing Organizational Needs with Human Connection 16:25 - Avoiding Empathy Fatigue and Burnout 20:40 - Dark Empathy and Toxic Leadership Behaviors 24:55 - Measuring Empathy's Impact on Organizational Success 28:30 - Practical Steps for Developing Empathetic Leadership 32:45 - Closing Insights and Call to Action MELISSA’S INFO: Book: https://www.amazon.com/Empathic-Leader-Transforms-Leadership-Productivity-ebook/dp/B0F44JLV5R Website: https://eqviaempathy.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-melissa-a-robinson-winemiller-author-speaker-trainer/ PODCAST INFO: Website: https://FutureFactory.live Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0SsZRdrvWTUs1QY6Zu1sU6 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/future-factory/id1659895549 Amazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/207e04aa-11a1-4b28-964a-148608422a49/future-factory   FUTURE FACTORY SOCIAL: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/futurefactorypodcast/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/FutureFactoryFF Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/futurefactorypodcast LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/futurefactorypodcast TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@futurefactorypodcast?_t=8ZIxAf4Orra&_r=1 ANTHONY'S SOCIAL: Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/anthonyamunategui/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anthony.amunategui.3 Find great guests at PodMatch https://www.joinpodmatch.com/futurefactorypodcast