Guest: Kate O'Nel, CEO @ Opre
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Kate covered a ton in a short amount of time! Here’s the TLDW; (or you could just hit play!)

Personal Journey with Empathy and Leadership
- Kate’s leadership evolved from task-focused to empathy-driven, realizing that understanding her team’s individual needs unlocks their potential.
- As a manager of managers, she learned to balance individual and group needs, which deepened her appreciation for empathy in leadership.

‍Empathy in Performance Management
- Kate defines empathy as understanding and acting on individual circumstances, whereas sympathy is offering condolences.In performance management, empathy helps balance personal needs with group goals, ensuring support without compromising expectations.

‍Building Trust Through Continuous Conversations
- Daily feedback is key to trust-building, helping leaders address issues early and align goals while fostering growth and connection.
- Regular performance conversations keep teams aligned and motivated, ensuring ongoing development and success.

‍Balancing Empathy and Performance Expectations
- Personal challenges like grief require balancing empathy with performance goals. Leaders must offer flexibility while maintaining work expectations.
- Open, safe communication about struggles enables managers to support their teams effectively while achieving goals.

‍Creating a Culture of Compassionate Leadership
- Compassionate leadership builds trust and strengthens relationships, fostering loyalty and improving team performance.

- By understanding and investing in their team’s well-being, leaders create a positive, thriving work environment where employees can succeed through any challenge.
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