Empathy is one of the most important leadership skills we have — and yet, it's also one of the most misunderstood. Many leaders want to show care, compassion, and understanding… but worry they'll get drained, taken advantage of, or lose their authority in the process. The truth is: empathy isn't about absorbing everyone's emotions. It's about creating connection, safety, and clarity in a way that's sustainable for you and supportive for your team.

My special guest today is Joseph Cope, and he's simplifying how to practice empathy without burning out. If you want to lead with more humanity — especially in moments of change, pressure, or high emotions — this conversation will give you a grounded, repeatable approach you can actually use.

Here's how.

My special guest today is Joseph Cope and he's simplifying how to practice empathy without burning out. 

We tackle and simplify all aspects of it, including:

• What healthy, sustainable empathy looks like in practice — without getting drained or taken advantage of.

• How to respond with empathy when emotions run high, while still holding a clear boundary or expectation.

• How to balance empathy with accountability when someone on your team keeps missing the mark.

• What empathy looks like for employees who survived a layoff and are now picking up the pieces and carrying more responsibility.

• …and ultimately, 2–3 small daily habits any leader can build to create a more trusted, connected team without adding more to an already overflowing plate.

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